Unknown gunmen kill former opposition leader in Syria’s Daraa

DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Unknown gunmen killed on Sunday a former opposition leader in Daraa Governorate in southern Syria.

A security source told North Press that unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle killed Abdullah Ismail al-Halqi, a former leader in the armed opposition factions, in the center of Jassem city in the north of Daraa.

The source added that al-Halqi was wounded and taken to Jassem Hospital, but he died before reaching the hospital.

Al-Halqi led a group in the armed opposition before the Syrian government forces took control of Daraa and its countryside in 2018. He later received an ID card as part of a settlement agreement.

In July 2018, the opposition armed factions and the government forces reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by Russia in the opposition-held areas in Daraa.

Under the deal, the opposition armed factions agreed to hand over their weapons in exchange for staying in Daraa, and those who opposed the agreement they were sent to Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front).

By Ihsan Muhammad