Group emerges as Government forces withdraw from town in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – A group from the Air Force Intelligence Branch affiliated with the Syrian government forces withdrew on Sunday from the town of al-Musayfirah, east of Daraa, south Syria, in response, the residents of the town formed a local group to ensure its protection.
The decision to form the local group, supported by Brigade Eight, affiliated with the Military Intelligence Branch backed by Russia, was made after a meeting held in one of al-Musayfirah’s mosques, attended by local leaders and commanders from the Brigade Eight.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future plans following the departure of the Mohammed Emad al-Kurdi group affiliated with the Air Force Intelligence and its stationing in the town of Umm Walad, east Daraa.
Exclusive sources from al-Musayfirah town told North Press that a meeting was held involving the town’s dignitaries and leaders from the Brigade Eight in one of the mosques, and it concluded with an agreement to form a local group consisting of the town’s residents, led by one of them, and directly affiliated with the Brigade.
Brigade Eight is a local armed group formed in Daraa, southern Syria, supported by the Russia. It is deployed across several towns and cities in the countryside of Daraa and the city of Daraa.
The sources also added that an agreement was reached to prevent al-Kurdi group, which is affiliated with the local leader Muhammad Ali al-Rifai, known as Abu Ali al-Laham, from returning to the town along with its members.
Meanwhile, the Kurdi group from the town of Umm Walad, where the group retreated, threatened to seek revenge against the Brigade Eight and vowed to return to the town of al-Musayfirah.
The sources further explained that the meeting was attended by high-ranking leaders of the Brigade Eight, including Samer al-Khalil, also known as Abu al-Sadiq, Hamed Shbana, also known as Abu Akram, who hails from the town of Mahajjah, north the city of Daraa, and leads the brigade’s group in the village of Saida, as well as other commanders from affiliated groups in the surrounding villages.
North press correspondent reported that another meeting was held in the town of Bosra with leaders of the Brigade Eight, with the aim of forming a group affiliated with the brigade specifically in al-Musayfirah town.
Sources within the Brigade Eight told North Press that once they control al-Musayfirah, they will initiate the recruitment of a local group consisting of residents from the town to serve under their command.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Ali Ahmad al-Miqdad, a prominent leader in the Brigade Eight known as Ali Pasha, contacted Mohammed Imad al-Kurdi threatened him with prosecution if he attempted to return to al-Musayfirah town or targeted the brigade’s members from the local group.
On Mar.23, two militants of Brigade Eight were killed, three others were injured, and a soldier of the Air Force Intelligence was killed, with seven others injured as a result of clashes between a group from Brigade Eight and a group affiliated with the Air Force Intelligence in al-Musayfirah.
By Wisam al-Abazid/ Ihsan Muhammad