The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Recent developments across Syria

May 4, 2021

 

 

Regime-controlled areas

 

-Reliable sources have told SOHR that ISIS members attacked military vehicles of regime forces and loyalists a few hours ago, as the regime’s vehicles were leaving al-Kamm oil station in east Deir Ezzor desert. According to SOHR sources, ISIS members ambushed the regime soldiers and loyal militiamen and opened machinegun fire on their vehicles, killing two and injuring others, some seriously, which may raise the death toll.

 

-Syrian Observatory activists have reported frequent flights by Russian fighter jets over the Syrian desert since early morning, along with executing intensive strikes on ISIS positions in the eastern countryside of Hama and the administrative border between Hama and al-Raqqah, amid confirmed reports of casualties due to the intensive airstrikes since yesterday. On the other hand, it is expected that the new security campaign by Russian, regime forces and allies will start in al-Raqqah and Hama deserts so soon, especially after the large reinforcement which has been recently arrived in the area.

 

-Reliable sources in the eastern countryside of Aleppo have informed SOHR that recruitment operations are still underway by Iranian-backed militias, particularly the Afghani militia of Liwa Fatemiyoun, as they offer financial incentives to attract young and adult men, exploiting the dire living conditions.

 

-SOHR activists have documented the death of a civilian in the explosion of an old landmine in a farmland in Wadi al-Azeeb area in eastern Hama. The explosion also killed some cattle.

 

 

-In Daraa, Syrian Observatory activists have documented the death of two regime soldiers, as unknown gunmen opened fire on them in Um Walad town in the eastern countryside of Daraa. While SOHR activists have documented the death of a young man from Jasim city in the northern countryside of Daraa under torture in regime prison, after being detained for nearly two years and half. According to SOHR sources, the young man had defected from regime army, then he later struck a reconciliation deal with regime security services after regime forces regained control of Daraa province. However, the man was arrested when he rejoined military service, and he was held in the prison until he died. Also, SOHR activists have reported clashes with machineguns and RPG shells, between unidentified gunmen and members of a joint military checkpoint of regime forces and military intelligence service, on the road between the towns of Sayda and al-Gharya al-Gharbiya in the eastern countryside of Daraa governorate. No casualties have been reported.

 

-In Al-Quneitera, Unidentified gunmen opened machinegun fire on a military post of regime forces near the village of Um Batna-Jaba in the countryside of al-Quneitra, where clashes took place between members of  regime forces and the attackers. Meanwhile, military reinforcements were brought in to support regime forces, along with boosting checkpoints and military posts, but no casualties have been reported. This attack comes hours after a visit by Russian delegation to the area.

 

 

Areas under the control of HTS and opposition factions

 

-SOHR activists in Sahl al-Ghab area in the north-western countryside of Hama have reported that regime forces targeted, with a guided missile, a vehicle belonging to Turkistan Islamic Party on Qaraur frontline. The attack resulted in the injury of two Turkestani members and caused material damage.

 

-SOHR activists have documented the death of a woman after regime forces fired several rockets on al-Ziyadiyyah village in west Idlib countryside.

 

-Residents found the body of an unidentified young man in a well in the town of al-Futeira in the southern countryside of Idlib, where the body was taken out from the well.

 

 

SDF-held areas

 

-A civilian was killed today after his car was targeted with a missile, believed to be fired by unidentified drone, in the village of al-Shanan in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

 

-Two members of Syrian Democratic Forces “SDF” traveling on a water tank were injured, after they were shot in Jedeidet Kihet area, east of al-Raqqah.

 

-SOHR activist in east Euphrates region have confirmed that Syria Democratic Forces have stormed the house of the director of Jadid Bakara hospital in Deir Ezzor countryside, where they beat him, confiscated weapons and arrested his brother. Meanwhile, SDF stormed another house, at midnight, in al-Busayrah city, searching for a suspicious mechanic from Aleppo, but he was not there. However, the security forces arrested an Iraqi refugee who was in the house during the raid, before they returned to the same house at dawn, but they could not find the mechanic.

 

-Reliable sources in the Syrian Jazeera region have told SOHR that the water level in the Euphrates river is alarmingly decreasing, amid growing fear among the region’s residents of environmental disaster and unexpected consequences. It is worth noting that the water level in Euphrates river is down by five metres for the first time ever at a time when the Turkish government continues seizing Syria’s share of Euphrates water. However, no action has been taken, despite the human rights organizations’ appeals and the residents’ calls for releasing water supply.

 

 

“Peace Spring” areas

 

-Turkish-backed factions have arrested a number of civilians, including women, in the town of Hammam al-Turkman in the city of Tel Abyad, north of al-Raqqah. According to SOHR sources, the arrested people were taken to the Turkish base in Tel Abyad area. This arrest comes after members of the factions and the people of the region have snitched on the arrested people, that their sons and relatives are in the ranks of SDF in Autonomous Administration-held areas. Meanwhile, Turkish-backed factions confiscated and examined the phones of the arrested people, and trespassed their houses during the search and arrest process.

 

-SOHR sources say that the “Wali” of the Turkish city of Urfa paid a surprise visit, this morning, to the city of Tel Abyad in “Peace Spring” areas in northern al-Raqqah, as he was seen touring the markets there. It is worth noting that this is the second visit by the “Wali” of Urfa to areas under the control of “Peace Spring” operations room, after a visit to Ras al-Ain in al-Hasakah on March 8, 2021.

 

 

Areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions and areas held by Kurdish forces in Aleppo

 

-SOHR sources have reported renewed bombardment by Turkish forces, in the early morning, on Kurdish-held areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo, as several shells hit positions in Mar’anaz and surrounding areas.

 

-SOHR sources have reported that a military group affiliated to the Turkish-backed al-Sham Corps has arrested two civilians in Kabashin village in Shirawa district in rural Afrin in north-western Aleppo, for “participating in guarding shifts during SDF control of Afrin canton”.

 

-Civilians found two unidentified bodies in Afrin region, which is held by Turkish forces and proxy factions. According to SOHR activists, the two bodies were found with marks of torture and gunshot wounds on agricultural land near the village of Al-Furaira in Jenderes district, west of Afrin.