Men of Dignity clash with pro-government groups in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, the city of Suwayda and the town of Atil in the northern countryside of Suwayda, south Syria, witnessed major security tension as a result of clashes between local factions and the pro-Syrian government Raji Falhout faction.
The tension occurred when three members of the Men of Dignity were attacked by the Falhout group, a group of local residents allied with the Syrian government, residents of Suwayda said.
“Encircling the Military Security building and cutting off all roads leading to it came as a powerful message in order for the military security to abstain from supporting those groups,” Men of Dignity member Mahmud Khazama told North Press.
Getting rid of armed groups in Suwayda “has become an urgent public demand, and it is time for these groups and their supporters to stop tampering with the security of Suwayda,” he stressed.
He pointed out that the Men of Dignity Movement is keen not to engage in infighting in Suwayda.
The siege imposed on the military security center in Suwayda coincided with clashes in the town of Atil in the northern countryside of the city between members of the Men of Dignity and Falhout with light and medium weapons, with reports of wounded.
On Tuesday, militants of the Men of Dignity blocked all routes leading to the military security building in the city.
A security source close to military security denied that the military security supports the Falhout armed faction and other groups, he told North Press under the condition of anonymity.
“Foreign agendas are being implemented in Suwayda; citizens should assume their responsibilities and should stress the need for prevailing Syrian government power,” he added.
Meanwhile, militants of the Men of Dignity are still deploying in all neighborhoods of Suwayda, especially at the northern entrance, amid an uneasy calm.
Suwayda city has been witnessing security tension for days. Meanwhile, groups of Damascus government forces stationed in the western countryside of Suwayda cut off the road linking the western villages of Suwayda.
Observers believe that this step is an attempt by government forces to enter Suwayda after they previously entered Daraa.
On Wednesday, Syrian government forces entered the besieged neighborhoods in the city of Daraa, south Syria, following over two months of government siege.