Recent developments across Syria

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

 

Regime-controlled areas

 

-Reliable sources in south Syria region have told SOHR that a state of security tension is prevailing in Arra town in the western countryside of al-Suwaidaa, along with the deployment of gunmen, who are relatives of a man died today in al-Suwaidaa National Hospital affected by the injury he had two days ago, after being shot by tribal gunmen in the town. The victim’s relatives have attacked the house of the man accused of killing their son, setting fire to the house. Moreover, the attackers opened fire on fire brigades, preventing them from reaching the house to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, the town’s dignitaries and tribal elders are exerting diligent efforts to defuse the tension.

 

-SOHR sources have reported that the “director of al-Qamishli area” known by his initials as L.S. sells, via brokers, large amounts of state-subsidized bread allocated for civilians in al-Baath bread bakery in al-Qamishli city, which is close to the security zone, for his own favour. Moreover, the commanders of security branches in the area seize the remaining bread produced by al-Baath bakery in order to sell it in markets at higher prices. It is worth noting that a specific share of the production of al-Baatj bread bakery is sold to brokers every day at dawn, while the residents get no more than 5% of this production, which has worsened the bread crisis throughout the city of al-Qamishli. Furthermore, the “director of al-Qamishli area” takes advantage of his post to take over the profits of other projects like the electrically-generated amperes providing houses and shops with electricity.

 

-SOHR activists have documented the death of a former fighter of Ahrar al-Sham, after being shot by unknown gunmen in Tasil town in the western countryside of Daraa. It is worth noting that the ex-fighter had struck a reconciliation deal with security services after regime forces’ control of Daraa province.

 

 

Aleppo

 

-The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have reported renewed clashes between the pro-Turkey factions and Kurdish forces on the frontlines of Harbal, Kafr Khasher and Maranaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo, but no casualties have been reported.

 

-SOHR activists have reported a new assassination in areas under the control of Turkish forces and their proxy factions in eastern Aleppo, as unknown gunmen opened fire on a civilian while he was in the outdoors market in Jarabulus city centre. However, the motives behind this crime remained unknown.

 

-SOHR activists have reported that large spaces of wheat and barley cultivated land in the surrounding areas of Qart Wayran village, which is under the control of “Manbij Military Council Forces”, in eastern Aleppo caught fire, after being targeted with incendiary bullets fired by Turkish-backed factions stationed in al-Bab city.

 

-SOHR sources have monitored Russian and Turkish forces conducting a new joint patrol in Ain al-Arab countryside (Kobani), east of Aleppo. The patrol roamed in several villages near the Syria-Turkey border.

 

-The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have documented the death of two members of pro-Turkey “Samarkand Brigade”, as a result of an unknown explosion near a military headquarters of the Brigade in Rajo district in Afrin countryside.

 

 

SDF-held areas

 

-The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have reported that al-Jibisah-al-Rayyan gas pipeline exploded in the north-west of Deir Ezzor due to an attack by unknown individuals, while Observatory activists obtained a footage showing the huge explosion of the gas pipeline. Meanwhile, “Al-Baraa Bin Malik” military battalion, affiliated to al-Sharqiyah Brigades, claimed responsibility of the attack.

 

-The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have reported a state of dissatisfaction among civilians on social media in the Autonomous Administration-controlled areas over the decision of raising the price of fuel, amid calls for demonstrations against the Autonomous  Administration in light of the current economic hardship.

 

-Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing a new convoy of the International Coalition, comprising nearly 20 vehicles, mostly oil trucks, as well as five other trucks, crossing into Syria, via al-Waleed border crossing with Kudistan Region of Iraq. The convoy headed to the Coalition military bases in  north-eastern Syria.

 

-The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists have reported that “Al-Shabiba Al-Thawriyah” (The Revolutionary Youth) and the Young Women’s Union in north and east Syria conducted a foot march in response to the silence by international forces over the attacks launched by Turkey on the areas of Zab, Haftanin and Avashin in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and the mountains of Turkey. Meanwhile, the access of US patrol of four vehicles coincided with the arrival of protesters in the village of Jal Agha in the countryside of al-Hasakah, who pelted the US patrol with stones and water bottles, without causing any damage. Meanwhile, the “Revolutionary Youth” resumed their march that started yesterday. The march is planned to last for more three days until the marchers get to the city of Malikiyah (Dayrik).

 

 

“De-escalation zone”

 

-SOHR sources have reported that a military force of Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham has arrested two members of the jihadi organization of “Hurras al-Din” after storming their position in al-Fu’ah town in the north-eastern countryside of Idlib. Meanwhile, HTS members were seen on high alert. This development comes in light of the efforts by Abu Mohammad al-Julani the leader of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham to promote himself and HTS as “counters of terrorism”.

 

-Residents have found the body of a prominent member of Ahrar al-Sharqiyah faction operating under the banner of the pro-Turkey “National Army”. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists, the member was killed with cold weapons on the outskirts of Idlib. It is worth noting that the dead man had engaged in battles with the Turkish forces in Afrin, and “Peace Spring” Operation.

 

 

“Peace Spring” areas

 

-Syrian Observatory sources in the northern countryside of al-Raqqah have reported that a young man died under torture in the prison the Turkish-backed military police in Tel Abyad city. According to SOHR sources, this young man was a former “Emir” (top commander) in ISIS Islamic police during ISIS control of Ma’adan city in the southern countryside of al-Raqqah.

 

-Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing tens of residents demonstrating in Ras Al-Ain city (Sere Kaniye) in al-Hasakah countryside, in “Peace Spring” areas, demanding the provision of electricity, drinking water and other basic services. It is worth noting that “Peace Spring” areas which are under the control of Turkish forces and their proxy factions are suffering from poor services, especially with the frequent power outages and interruption of water.