Russian-backed Fifth Corps’ official killed in Syria’s Daraa

DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Unidentified armed individuals targeted an official from the Fifth Corps (which is considered the Russian military arm in Syria) in Syria’s Daraa on Tuesday, killing him.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that unidentified gunmen shot Abdulsalam Masri, in Herak east of Daraa.

Masri formerly operated in one of the largest Syrian opposition groups, the Youth of Sunna Forces, which later joined the Fifth Corps.

After the Syrian government took control over Daraa, dissidents and those evading compulsory military service joined the Fifth Corps after they signed a settlement agreement in July 2018.

Masri was targeted hours after Muhammad Adnan Jabawi, an official in the Fifth Corps, was wounded when his vehicle was targeted by a bomb in Daraa city.

SOHR has documented about 651 attacks and assassination attempts, including 427 murders, including 181 civilians, 12 women, and 15 children.

Additionally, about 191 Syrian government troops and pro-government fighters, including 76 former opposition fighters who signed a settlement agreement and became members in the government security apparatus, were killed.

The Russian-backed Fifth Corps is an alliance of five Syrian rebel groups that was formed during the Syrian Civil War in September 2014. All five units were affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and used the Syrian independence flag as their symbol until joining with government forces.