Local groups arrest car thieves amid security vacuum in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Amid the absence of the Syrian government security forces’ role in Suwayda governorate, south Syria, local armed groups arrested people who stole and transferred cars to the neighboring province of Daraa on Wednesday.
Since mid-October, local armed groups have filled the security vacuum in Suwayda by conducting local patrols in front of girls’ schools that witnessed harassment by young men and violations against teachers.
Meanwhile, an armed group affiliated with the Druze Men of Dignity militia in cooperation with the independent (not loyal to the Syrian government) Fahed Forces, raided a house on Wednesday and arrested three people who allegedly stole cars and smuggled them to Daraa.
“The gang is the most prominent gang stealing cars in light of the absence of the security authorities’ role in accomplishing their tasks and protecting the residents’ public properties there,” local sources from Suwayda stated.
“Demands of Suwayda’s people increased, calling on the government authorities and their security apparatus to carry out their assigned tasks of protecting people and saving their properties from being stolen,” the sources added.
Additionally, “any potential violations by any gang or group that may strip the area of its social stability will be met with force regarding their actions that violate public morals,” a source from Men of Dignity said in a previous statement.