Pro-government militants deploy in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, the city of Suwayda witnessed an intensive deployment of elements of the pro-government National Defense Forces (NDF) in the city of Suwayda and the establishment of mobile checkpoints in five central squares in the city.
NDF member Sameh Qadri (a pseudonym) told North Press that members of the faction deployed through mobile checkpoints in the city squares, allegedly with the aim of “restricting the movement of armed gangs and protecting the residents’ property.”
He added that the movement of the NDF came in direct response to the anti-terror force that was formed in Suwayda recently, and it is affiliated with external parties and receives financial funding from them.
In addition, Suwayda resident Rashid al-Jabal (a pseudonym) told North Press that until now, the NDF has taken no action to pursue gangs accused of kidnappings and murder in the citywide of Suwayda.
“The NDF includes individuals have close ties with the kidnapping and robbery gangs, as it covers and protects them,” he said.
He pointed out that what happened last night is “a show of force, nothing more, nothing less.”