Clashes between government forces, armed group in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Unknown armed attackers targeted a Syrian government military checkpoint in the village of Kharab al-Shahem, west Daraa countryside, with RPGs on Monday.
Clashes between the government forces and the armed attackers broke out following the initial attack, causing wounded in the ranks of the two parties.
During the ongoing clashes, four government soldiers were wounded and were transferred to as-Sanamayn military hospital, while the number of the armed attackers wounded was unknown. The attackers escaped, a local source from al-Yadudah who preferred to be unnamed told North Press.
The source pointed out that military reinforcements, including three tanks, reached the targeted area.
Government forces blocked all routes to the town and broadly combed the outskirts of the town, a government source in the city of Daraa told North Press.
The source stated that the number of military checkpoints would increase in the western countryside of Daraa, including the entrances to Kharab al-Shahem, al-Yadudah, Muzayrib, and Tafas.
The 33rd Brigade stationed in the northern countryside of Daraa increased the amount of military reinforcements it sent to the government Fourth Division in the western countryside of Daraa, a step that was believed to be a preparation for an upcoming military operation against local anti-government groups.
The sending of reinforcements took place four days after the signing of an agreement between government forces and anti-government groups in Daraa.
Earlier this month, local sources in Daraa told North Press that the government forces and armed local groups reached an agreement under Russian meditation.
The agreement stipulated the deportation of Abu Munther al-Sabahi, one of the leaders of the armed groups, to northwestern Syria (Idlib), and the surrender of the heavy and medium weapons of all groups.
The agreement took place a week after Russian Military Police threatened to use airstrikes against the armed groups if they didn’t respond to the government’s demands.
The government’s Fourth Division had called on the armed groups to deport six of their leaders to northwestern Syria and hand over their weapons.
This took place after anti-Syrian government armed groups killed six government soldiers west Daraa countryside.