Syrian Government General Security Launches Disarmament Campaign in Daraa Province
By Kardo Roj
DARAA, Syria (North Press) –
On Saturday, Syria’s General Security Directorate, operating under the transitional government’s Ministry of Interior, launched a broad disarmament and security campaign in Daraa province aimed at curbing the spread of illegal weapons and arresting wanted individuals.
The latest sweep targeted the northern towns of Deir al-Bukht and Muthbin, where security forces deployed in force to carry out house searches and checkpoints.
According to a North Press correspondent in Daraa, the campaign follows similar operations carried out this week:
Friday: A raid in Jabab, northern Daraa, resulted in the collection of various calibers of ammunition and unlicensed firearms.
Thursday: Sweeps in al-Dalli, al-Sahiliyya, and al-Faqi’, in central Daraa, also yielded large caches of weapons.
Earlier Campaign: A focused operation in Ma’araba, eastern Daraa, aimed at apprehending fugitives and seizing unregistered weapons.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to stabilize the region, which has been plagued by lingering violence, arms trafficking, and the presence of insurgent cells.
Officials from the General Security Directorate stated that the campaign seeks to restore law and order, limit inter-communal violence, and reduce the risk of renewed armed clashes.
The transitional government has pledged to rehabilitate southern Syria through stabilization efforts, including localized reconciliation agreements, reintegration of former fighters, and community disarmament initiatives.
However, residents remain divided. While some locals expressed cautious support for curbing the proliferation of weapons, others voiced concerns over heavy-handed tactics and fear of arbitrary arrests.
Daraa has remained a volatile province since the fall of the previous regime, often marked by assassination attempts, tribal conflicts, and sporadic clashes between rival factions. Though nominally under central control, many areas have operated with relative autonomy, leading to an uptick in unregulated weapon ownership.
Efforts to rein in arms flows and enforce legal accountability are seen as crucial to the success of the transitional phase led by President Ahmad al-Shara’a, especially amid mounting pressure from international actors.
Sources within the Ministry of Interior hinted that the campaign could expand to include additional towns in the coming weeks, depending on cooperation from local communities and the success of early operations.
Authorities are urging civilians to voluntarily hand over unlicensed arms, promising amnesty in exchange for compliance.