DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Although Syrian government security forces closed the last settlement center in Daraa governorate, south Syria, two days ago, these settlements did not reach several towns and areas in its countryside.
Notables and activists attribute the reason of this to the role of the Eighth Brigade and Russian presence in the region.
Settlement centers were not opened in some areas in south and northeast of Daraa, so the wanted individuals there had their status settled in other settlement centers.
Meanwhile, the security services established a center in al-Mahatta police station in order to settle status of the wanted, whose names were included in settlement lists.
Settlements process in Daraa al-Balad and the surrounding neighborhoods started in late August following a Russian-brokered agreement between notables of Daraa and the government security committee.
The government security services established 23 centers, where settlements processes were hold, about 14,000 wanted individuals had their conditions settled, weapons were handed over, and large amounts of money were paid in turn for lost weapons.
Role of the Eighth Brigade
Busra al-Sham is the main stronghold of the Eighth Brigade that have a key role in stabilizing the region over the past three years.
The Eighth Brigade is affiliated with the Russian-backed Fifth Corps, which is one of the formations of the National Defense Forces (NDF) that is independent of the government and directly under the command of Russian forces in Syria.
The Eighth Brigade was formed mainly of the fighters of “Shabab al-Sunna” Brigade, which had fought within the opposition ranks under the leadership of Ahmed al-Awda until 2018.
The military formation was the mediator when the government forces accompanied by Iranian-backed militias’ attempt to break into Daraa al-Balad, Tariq al-Sad neighborhood and the Camps early in July.
Each of Russia and the government considered the areas, where the military factions affiliated with the brigade are present, safe non-hostile areas.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Brigade guaranteed that any military checkpoints of the government forces in al-Lajat area, in the eastern countryside of Daraa, will not come under attack.
The government forces and the state’s institutions have not been attacked in this area, as weapons were owned only by the members of the Eighth Brigade and were not allowed to be used even in celebrations, a notable of Busra al-Sham said under the condition of anonymity.
No settlement centers were established in al-Lajat area, which forms a third of Daraa governorate. However, dozens of wanted individuals there had their conditions settled in the town of Majha, Busra al-Harir and Izra’, in the eastern countryside of Daraa, according to local sources.
Russian role
These settlements, which were carried out in Daraa under Russian auspice, “weaken the role of the government forces there and allowed Russia to dominate the Syrian south adjacent to the northern border of Israel, according to observers.
On October 24, Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, said, “Russians are our neighbors in the north.”
Events happened over the last three months were carried out in order to implement the Russian point of view, the journalist and Syrian researcher, Hussam al-Berem, told North Press.
He added that Moscow is seeking calm, accelerating the process of restoring government control, and starting reconstruction.