Russian-backed Eighth Brigade raids government checkpoint in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – The eastern countryside of Daraa, south Syria, witnessed, yesterday, security tension following a raid carried out by the Eighth Brigade of the Russian-backed Fifth Corps on a checkpoint of the Syrian government forces.
Members of the Eighth Brigade stormed the checkpoint of the government Air Force Intelligence on Damascus-Oman Highway near Khirbet Ghazaleh town, in the eastern countryside of Daraa, eyewitnesses told North Press.
The storming occurred after a member of the Brigade refused to show his identity card to the checkpoint which resulted in clashes between them.
Eyewitnesses noted that the Brigade sent reinforcements to the site, raided the checkpoint and seized it for several hours.
Meanwhile, the Air Force Intelligence sent reinforcements to the site in order to calm the issue and prevent it from developing, according to sources.
Russia wants to oust those linked to Iran from the southern region and Rif Dimashq, according to sources.
On Monday, the Iranian-backed Fourth Armored Division pulled out its all checkpoints from the city of Arbin in Rif Dimashq governorate and Military Security Service under the auspices of Russian Military Police took control over the city.
The Eighth Brigade was established on the ruins of the Shabab al-Sunna faction headed by Ahmad al-Awda of the Syrian opposition during its control of southern Syria.
The Eighth Brigade has been assigned by Russia for several missions over the past years, the first of which was in Yarmouk Basin area and hunting down the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS).