Syrian government delegation in Daraa al-Balad under Russian auspices
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, a delegation from the Damascus government visited Daraa al-Balad accompanied by a Russian officer and met with the residents of the besieged neighborhoods in Daraa, southern Syria.
The governor of Daraa, the police chief, and People’s Assembly member Ahmed al-Suwaidan met, accompanied by an officer in the Russian Military Police, with the residents of Daraa al-Balad, Tariq al-Sad neighborhood, and the camps, local sources told North Press.
The sources said that the governor promised to improve the living situation and restore services, to which Sheikh Faisal Abazid, one of the dignitaries of Daraa, replied, “Our problem is not the living situation, our problem is a regime that usurped the rule in Syria.”
On the background of Abazid’s response, a verbal altercation occurred between the two parties, and chaos arose in the meeting which later calmed down.
The sources added that cleaning work, removing rubble and repairing infrastructure, including water and electricity, began on Thursday, but the humanitarian situation is still very difficult due to the massive destruction to homes and high unemployment rates.
Residents of Daraa indicated that the only medical center is still closed despite the promises of government agencies to open it as soon as possible, that the road that connects Daraa al-Balad and the city center has been opened, and work is underway to open the rest of the roads to facilitate the movement of residents.
These developments come after an agreement reached on September 6 between the notables of Daraa Governorate and the security committee of the government forces under Russian auspices, which led to the lifting of the 78-day siege imposed on the neighborhoods of Daraa al-Balad, Tariq al-Sad and the camps.