Al-Suwaidaa-Daraa conflict renews | Clashes erupt between 5th Corps and local gunmen from Al-Suwaidaa
Syrian Observatory sources have reported that fierce clashes erupted this morning in Al-Quraya and surrounding areas in the western countryside of Al-Suwaidaa, near the administrative border with the eastern countryside of Daraa, between members of the Russian-backed 5th Corps and local gunmen from Al-Suwaidaa. The clashes are accompanied by exchange of shelling, while transportation and movement in the area have been completely paralyzed.
It is worth noting that the area experienced similar tension a few months ago, as SOHR sources reported in April that Tension between Al-Suwaidaa and Daraa provinces in southern Syria was escalating rapidly, especially with the worsening situations in areas in Al-Suwaidaa and other ones in Daraa since late March.
In this context, reliable sources informed the Syrian Observatory that fighters from Bosr Al-Harir in the eastern countryside of Daraa hijacked a bus carrying regime soldiers from Al-Suwaidaa and took the soldiers to unknown destination. The kidnappers explained that this operation came as a response to the kidnapping of a person from Bosr Al-Harir town by fighters from Al-Suwaidaa a day earlier.
Meanwhile, tension was prevailing in several areas in the eastern countryside of Daraa, and other areas in Al-Suwaidaa countryside near the administrative border between both provinces. Moreover, both sides were on high alert amid public concern that the escalating tension could evolve to protracted armed fight. On the other hand, the area’s dignitaries exert all possible efforts to defuse the tension between the two conflicting sides.
On March 28, SOHR sources reported that Bosra Al-Sham’s gunmen who attacked Al-Quraya area in the southern countryside of Al-Suwaidaa executed six local fighters from Al-Suwaidaa, after being captured in clashes a day earlier. Pictures of the victims were sent to their families after the execution.
SOHR sources reported earlier that morning that tense calm was prevailing the southern countryside of Al-Suwaidaa after dramatic developments in several areas there. Meanwhile, local gunmen in the area were on high alert in anticipation for possible operations in the wake of ongoing security tension.