The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Daraa in 2023 | Nine kil-led including three civilians in 17 attacks

SOHR activists have documented 17 attacks by civilians and military fighters since the beginning of 2023.

These attacks left three civilians and five regime soldiers killed, and one former fighter, who underwent reconciliation and has not joined any military side since.

The details are as follows:

• January 1: A young man died of wounds he sustained after being shot by unidentified gunmen in front of his home a few days earlier in Al-Ghariyah Al-Sharqiyyah in the eastern countryside of Daraa. It is worth noting that the dead man was a former member of the opposition factions and struck the settlement and reconciliation deal with the regime in 2018, and did not join any military formation.

• January 2: A civilian was killed by unidentified gunmen in Al-Harak city in the eastern countryside of Daraa. The gunmen fled to an unknown destination. It is worth noting that the victim owns a “bread bakery,” and does not belong to any military formation.

• January 3: Two members of a “State Security” checkpoint were killed and others were injured. The injured people were taken to Al-Sanamayn national hospital for treatment. Also, a teacher who was near the checkpoint was killed at dawn today in Salmin town in northern Daraa countryside in an attack on a checkpoint by unidentified gunmen.

• January 4: A woman was shot dead directly by unidentified gunmen on her way to send her child off to a school in the Tariq Al-Sadd neighbourhood in Daraa. It is worth noting that the woman is from Tariq Al Sadd neighbourhood and works as a “kindergarten teacher.”

• January 4: Unidentified gunmen targeted an officer in charge of the eastern checkpoint of Basr Al-Harir city and his companions with an IED near Al-Kaziyah Al-Sharqiyyah near the transport battalion, amid reports that members of the checkpoints were injured and the officer escaped towards the “5th Division” military battalions near the targeting site.

• January 6: Two civilians were injured in in indiscriminate gunfire by a group of the military intelligence service in Al-Sanamayn city in Daraa countryside. The two civilians were taken to the hospital.

• January 6: An officer of military intelligence service sustained injuries in the explosion of an IED in Shaqra village in the north of Izraa city in the eastern countryside of Daraa. The officer was taken to the hospital.

• January 6: Gunmen on two motorbikes targeted the house of a civilian in Al-Awja village western of Al-Mazirib city in western Daraa countryside, leading to injuries.

• January 7: Unknown individuals planted an IED on the road between Namir and Salmeen towns in the north-western countryside of Daraa, targeted a regime vehicle. There is unconfirmed reports on casualties because of the IED explosion.

• January 7: Unidentified gunmen assassinated a regime soldier in Al-Sanmin city in northern Daraa countryside. On the same context, clashes and exchanged shooting took place in the region following the assassination.

• On January 9: A young man was severely injured, where he was shot by unidentified gunmen, while he was at the road between Al-Hirak city and Namir town in eastern Daraa countryside and the gunmen fled to an unknown destination.

• On January 9: A young man accused of “working with Lebanese Hezbollah militias” was injured, where his house was attacked by unidentified gunmen on the road between Al-Taiba and Al-Mata’iyah in eastern Daraa countryside, while armed clashes erupted between the assailants and owners of the house. However, no casualties were reported. According to reliable SOHR sources, the civilian hails from Al-Taiba town and is known for “associating Lebanese Hezbollah, drug dealing and having a good relationship with officers of the regime’s security services”

• On January 9: two unidentified gunmen on a motorbike threw a hand grenade on members of a regime’s security patrol stationed near Bosra field southern of Daraa city, before they fled to an unknown destination, amid security mobilization of regime forces in the region. However, no casualties were reported.

• On January 11: A young man was shot in the “thigh” with direct bullets by unidentified persons riding a motorcycle, on suspicion that he had known them while wandering through a road in the northern countryside of Daraa city. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. It is worth noting that the two gunmen work for the groups responsible for the assassinations.

• On January 12: A non-commissioned officer ranked as assistant and belongs to the regime’s 15th Division was shot dead on the military road between Tel Shehab and Kharab Al-Shahm in western Daraa countryside.

• On January 16: SOHR activists reported that a commander of the general intelligence administration, who is affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah, was shot dead while he was inside a house in Al-Hara city in north-western Daraa countryside.

• On January 16: A girl was killed in Al-Hara town in the northern countryside of Daraa, accompanied by a leader of the General Intelligence Department who is close to the Lebanese Hezbollah, who was assassinated yesterday evening after being shot by unidentified gunmen. It is worth noting that the girl is from Al-Hara town, north of Daraa, and is known for her close relations with regime officers.

• On January 17: The head of Da’il district in northern Daraa countryside was injured when unidentified gunmen shot him directly while he was on a street in front of the district building. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment. It is worth noting that the victim is from Deir Ezzor province and has previously threatened to arrest wanted people from Da’il district and surrender them to regime forces.