Tense calm prevails in Al-Suwaidaa countryside after yesterday’s bloody clashes

Syrian Observatory activists have reported that tense calm is prevailing the southern countryside of Al-Suwaidaa after yesterday’s dramatic developments in several areas there. Meanwhile, local gunmen in the area are on high alert in anticipation for possible operations in the wake of ongoing security tension.

Developments started in the area three days ago when a gang led by a man, known by his initials as Y.A., kidnapped two young men from Bosra Al-Sham in the eastern countryside of Daraa. The two young people were taken to the gang’s headquarters in Al-Quraya, south of Al-Suwaidaa.

Gunmen from Bosra Al-Sham attacked Al-Quraya yesterday evening, in response to the kidnapping of the two young men, where they attempted to kidnap people from the area. These attacks were followed by fierce clashes between the attackers and local gunmen from Al-Quraya, leaving ten gunmen of local factions dead and six others injured, while four gunmen of the attackers were killed.

Local gunmen in Al-Suwaidaa headed later to arrest the ringleader (Y.A.) in his headquarters in Al-Quraya, but the ringleader blew himself up with an explosive belt leaving a local gunman dead and three others injured.

It is noteworthy that (Y.A.) is from Al-Quraya town and he is one of the most wanted people of security services and works with a group of gunmen from Suwayda and Daraa countryside. Search warrants were issued against him.

On the other hand, his father had issued a statement disowning him because of his criminal actions which do not represent the good morals and values of Jabal al-Arab’s people.