Militia urges Jordan to stop airstrikes on Syria’s Suwayda
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Men of Dignity Movement in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, called on Jordan on Saturday to cease airstrikes inside Syrian territory, stressing its determination to continue fighting drug trafficking in the region.
The Movement emphasized in a statement that frequent Jordanian attacks in Syria are the result of the Syrian government’s “deliberate abandonment” of its responsibility to protect Syria’s sovereignty.
The Men of Dignity is a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend Suwayda. The Movement, described as a terror organization by Russia, took a position against the Syrian government in the early days of the war but did not engage in any armed struggle with government forces.
on Jan. 18 at dawn, air raids, likely by Jordan, targeted the villages of Urman and Malah in the southeast of the city of Suwayda. The strikes destroyed five houses and killed 13 people, including women and children.
The movement pointed out that security and military branches of the Syrian government forces neglect the security chaos and facilitate the transfer of drug shipments to Suwayda, using it as a storage site and smuggling point into Jordan.
The statement urged Jordan to provide lists of the names of the individuals suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and smuggling who are present in Suwayda to pursue them. The Movement also called Jordan to apologize to the affected families and provide financial compensation.
The movement announced the arrest of 30 drug dealers, traders, and smugglers over the past two months, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to combating drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the Men of Dignity appealed in its statement to religious, social, and community leaders to take a public stance against individuals in Suwayda who are involved in drug trafficking and smuggling and to stop offering protection for them.