The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Mass demonstration in Daraa | Thousands of civilians and the 5th Corps’ fighters call for the toppling of Syrian regime and departure of Iranian militias

Daraa Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SOHR activists have monitored thousands of civilians and fighters of the 5th Corps participating in a mass demonstration in Bosra Al-Sham in the eastern countryside of Daraa.

 

The demonstrators called for the toppling of the Syrian regime and demanded the Iranians and Lebanese Hezbollah leave Syria. The demonstrators also chanted anti-regime slogans.

 

It is worth noting that the demonstration took place during the funeral of fatalities who were killed in yesterday’s IED attack. It is also the largest demonstration ever since regime forces controlled Daraa province in 2018. Most of the people of eastern countryside’s towns and villages participated in this demonstration.

 

Yesterday, SOHR have documented the killing of at least nine members of the 5th Corps, while nearly 19 others were injured, due to the IED explosion which targeted a bus of the Russian-backed 5th Corps. According to SOHR sources, an IED exploded in a bus of the Russian-backed 5th Corps on the road to Al-Kuhayl town in eastern Daraa. The death toll is expected to rise because of the serious injuries of some casualties, while unconfirmed reports suggested there were more casualties.

 

It is worth noting that the 5th Corps comprises former opposition fighters who reconciled and settled their security situations with Syrian regime.

 

SOHR sources reported on June 17 that Daraa province was witnessing an escalation in the hidden conflict between the 5th Corps formed by Russia and the 4th Division led by Maher al-Assad, brother of the Syrian regime’s president. Meanwhile, attempts continued by each side to impose full control on Daraa.

 

As the Fifth Corps strengthened its presence and became the largest forces on the ground in Daraa, the fourth division recently returned to entrench its presence there.

 

According to Observatory sources, the Fourth Division intended to recruit men and young men, especially former opposition fighters by offering monthly salaries and other incentives.

 

The Fourth Division managed recently to attract a new batch of recruits, comprising dozens of fighters, and sent them to the checkpoints after they had underwent trainings courses in the western countryside of Daraa. And yet, the Russians still have the upper hand on the situation through the fifth corps, which comprises former opposition fighters who refused to flee their areas and got their security status settled.