Recent developments across Syria
May 14, 2021
Regime-controlled areas
-In Daraa, SOHR activists have documented the death of two regime soldiers after being shot by unknown gunmen in Nawa city in the western countryside of Daraa. While a civilian was shot by unidentified gunmen in the city of al-Hirak in the countryside of Daraa, which caused serious injuries that led to his death after he arrived at a hospital in the city.
-In Hama, SOHR activists have reported that the Iranian militias are exploiting the people’s conditions in the northern countryside of Hama to recruit them into their ranks. According to SOHR sources, families of the northern countryside of Hama returned to their villages after the withdrawal of the factions from them, as regime forces regained full control of the area, while the Military Intelligence services in Mihrada region declared their responsibility for all agricultural land and properties, which made an opportunity for the Iranian militia to enter those villages and recruit young men in their favor. Moreover, in the village of Latmin, dozens of young men joined Iranian militias in exchange for protecting their properties and money.It is worth noting that the region witnesses an ongoing conflict between regime forces in the region and the pro-Iran militia, over the pistachio trees that northern countryside of Hama is famous for, where the conflict coincides with the approach of harvest season, as disagreement occur over the share of these militias if the crop. On the other hand, young men have joined the Iranian militias to avoid legal accountability, and to seek security, relief and military support.
-In al-Quneitra, SOHR activists have reported the displacement of dozens of families from the village of Um Batna in al-Quneitra in response to the threats that have been launched by the military security branch in Saasa. Regime forces have threatened of storming the village if dozens of families refused to leave their houses towards north Syria. The calls for displacement coincided with the regime bringing military troops to the vicinity of the village that has witnessed security tensions and mortar fire by regime forces stationed at Tal al-Shaar base. Also, reliable SOHR sources have reported hearing several explosion in the area near the border with occupied Syrian Golan. However, it is not known whether the explosion were caused by missiles fired from the area towards the occupied Syrian Golan or they are part of the growing tension in Um Batna village and surrounding areas.
-Reliable sources have informed the Syrian Observatory that a group of residents from the town of al-Qariya in the south-western countryside of al-Suwaidaa and another of clans exchanged fire in the town, but no casualties have been reported.
-SOHR activists have documented the death of two regime soldiers and injury of four others, after the explosion of a landmine planted earlier by ISIS in the southern desert of Deir Ezzor province.
“Olive Branch” areas
-SOHR sources have reported that charitable organizations are working on building residential units for displaced persons in north-western Syria. Despite the positive side of these construction operations, they are still considered a part of “demographic change” in the region through these charitable associations which are clearly supported by the Turks. In this context, the Syrian Observatory activists have reported that a charitable association called “Basma” is working on building a residential village in Shadir village in Sherawa countryside (Jabal Laylon) in Afrin countryside. The association aims to build 12 residential units, consisting of 144 apartments, in the first phase, for the resettlement of families affiliated to pro-Turkey factions, especially “Turkmen”. The new village is built with the support of the Kuwaiti-backed association of “White Hands”, and it includes the building of three-story-style apartments with each floor containing four apartments, in addition to building a mosque and a health center. the project also provides a drinking water, electricity, road and sewage networks.
-Syrian Observatory activists in the countryside of Afrin in north-western Aleppo have reported that a military group of “Liwaa al-Shamal al-Dimocrati” (Democratic North Brigade) has seized, a week ago, three houses and a shop in the village of Afrazayah in Maabatly district. It is worth noting that the houses and shop belonged to civilians from the village, who were displaced due to the “Olive Branch” operation. According to SOHR sources, the three houses and the shop were inhabited by relative of real owners who were forced to flee after being kicked off from the village by the military faction which is affiliated to the Turkish-backed National Army.
“Euphrates Shield” areas
-Syrian Observatory activists have documented the death of a man after being shot by unknown gunmen who stormed his farm in Qabaseen town in al-Bab countryside. The attackers escaped after they stole the victim’s car.
NE Syria
-Syrian Observatory activists have reported that a Russian police patrol blocked a US patrol, yesterday, on M4 highway, near the town of Tel Tamr, north-west of al-Hasakah. However, the US patrol kept moving despite Russian police blocked its way.
“De-escalation zone”
-Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have reported the arrival of new logistics reinforcement of the Turkish forces, including 20 trucks loaded with cement blocks, in the “de-escalation zone”. The trucks were later headed to the Turkish military points in Idlib province.
-SOHR sources have reported that regime forces fired several rockets this evening, targeting positions in al-Ankawi village in Sahl al-Ghab in the north-western countryside of Hama and other positions in Jabal al-Zawiyah in the southern countryside of Idlib.