Western Daraa | Regime forces impose conditions for avoiding military operation, while “Central Committee” seeks for meeting with the 4th Division
Daraa Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Reliable sources have told SOHR that the regime-backed 4th Division have imposed several conditions on the “Central Committee” of Daraa’s western sector in order to avoid storming Tafas city militarily, and they are as follows:
- Handing over of heavy weapons in possession of factions in Tafas city, including machineguns and mortars.
- Deportation of wanted individuals who have refused to struck reconciliation deals.
- Expulsion of strangers from the region.
According to SOHR sources, the “4th Division” and the “Central Committee” will hold a meeting tomorrow morning in order to negotiate for avoiding a military operation in the areas of west Daraa countryside.
SOHR sources reported earlier this morning that regime forces, including the “4th Division” headed by Maher al-Assad, brother of the Syrian regime’s president, were deployed in the western countryside of Daraa. Meanwhile, regime forces set up new checkpoints in several areas, and brought in tanks and heavy gears, as a new checkpoint were established next to al-Kansura in the town of Al-Muzayreb, while another one was established in Al-Masakin area.
Moreover, several roads were blocked and closed to civilian movement, as passers-by either on foot or those traveling in cars were not allowed to pass. No information were reported about the reasons behind the regime forces movements.
It is worth noting that these movements came two days after the 4th Division brought in large military reinforcement to the province, as reliable sources informed SOHR, on Thursday, that the regime-backed “4th Division”, led by Maher al-Assad, brought in large military reinforcement to their positions in Daraa province. Where dozens of vehicles, including tanks and trucks loaded with military and logistical supplies and soldiers arrived in Daraa city from the capital, Damascus.
These reinforcement were most likely part of a large-scale security campaign that the pro-Iranian 4th Division intended to launch in Daraa, particularly in western countryside, amid popular fears of arbitrary arrests.