MSDBy Walid al-Sukari
Daraa, Syria – The situation in Daraa Governorate remains precarious, marked by targeted assassinations and security incidents. Those incidents have increased the instability in the Governorate since the end of the settlement process in 2018. Despite the Syrian regime’s control over Daraa, this control is tenuous, failing to restore stability or security in the region. Instead, it has led to further chaos and insecurity. Recently, the regime’s security forces and loyal militias were accused to carry out field executions.
Overall, the situation in Daraa is still unstable. Primarily, the regime’s presence focuses on revenge against the residents in the Governorate sooner or later and perpetuates a fragile environment if they oppose the ruling authority in Damascus. Consequently, this situation reflects the regime’s inability to maintain control and achieve stability, rather than safeguarding Syrians. So, the regime’s objective appears to be vengeance, as evidenced by the ongoing assassinations and executions in Daraa.
unconventional conflict
The situation in Daraa involves an unconventional conflict, where the authorities in Damascus target civilians through two ways. The first one is carried out through direct actions by Syrian Intelligence Apparatus, and the second one is carried out by militias affiliated to the regime. Simultaneously, the regime exploits these incidents to bolster its security presence and tighten control over Daraa’s residents.
Despite numerous assassinations and killings, there is no precise toll of civilian killed. Activists document these incidents, revealing that in April, Daraa witnessed 27 assassination attempts and attacks across various areas, resulting in 23 deaths, including 17 civilians. Additionally, three other civilians sustained varying degrees of injuries, while seven assassination attempts were unsuccessful
Why are civilians intimidated in Daraa?
We contacted one of the reconciliation figures in Daraa, who confirmed to us that the assassinations have turned into what can be called field executions. These brutal actions are carried out by the security forces affiliated with the regime and its loyal militias. The regime tries to pressure and terrorize civilians making them to abandon their areas. The ultimate goal is the control over these areas by security personnel affiliated with the regime and even Iranian militias.
According to the source, there are daily arrests of civilians by security personnel working at checkpoints spread in the villages and towns of Daraa. Days later, the bodies of one or two civilians are found, and signs of torture are clear on these bodies. The source believes that the executions are often carried out within hours or a few days of arrest. He believes that officers in charge at the checkpoints conduct investigations with detainees. After that, they kill and dump the detainees’ bodies on the roads.
The same source confirmed that all the arrests and executions target former opponents who have not left the areas they live and have agreed to the settlement. The primary objective behind these executions and arrests is to eliminate any opposition to the regime, according to the source.
Deteriorating of security situation and its repercussions
As a result of the instable situation in Daraa, negative impacts affected all aspects of life. Also, deliberate assassinations and arrests led many young people to flee Daraa. Recently, scenes of residents, particularly youth generation from Daraa, visiting immigration and passport offices have increased. These young individuals who seek an urgent passport are well aware of the oppressive practices of the authorities and their security apparatus in Syria.
In light of the deteriorating security situation in Daraa, the residents have found no alternative solution but to leave their areas. Migration has become their only option. Bahjat, a 68-year-old resident of Daraa, emphasizes that the dire security situation has forced him to think about the option of migration for his only son. “I am doing all my best to keep my son away from Daraa. I do not want him to become a target for any arrest or assassination. To achieve this, I have sold my house and 50 acres of agricultural land to save money for procedures of migration. Soon, my son will leave Daraa. Personally, I suggest all young individuals in Daraa to migrate to not become targets of the security authorities. This reality persists until the departure of the regime that deprived us of security and safety, even for our children,” Bahjat said.
So, the scene in Daraa has become clear. Despite the authority’s imposition of its presence on the people of Daraa, the intimidation, assassinations, and arrests have not deterred the residents from rejecting this authority. The majority of youth in Daraa leave to escape the deteriorating security and economic situation, but influential local figures can play a crucial role in shaping a powerful and revealing public opinion against these practices. Despite the dominance of security forces, they cannot assassinate or arrest these prominent figures. They believe that if they do this action, they would escalate tensions across Daraa. Instead, the authorities focus on detaining young people as a message to those influential individuals and leaders. Nevertheless, prominent community figures remain undeterred by the authority’s actions, and establish what could be termed “local committees,” potentially surprising these authorities. The situation has reached a breaking point. So, it is essential to curb the authority’s practices and terror against civilians.
