2 people killed in separate incidents in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Two people were killed on Monday in two armed attacks in Daraa Governorate, south Syria.
A local source told North Press, “The so-called Muhammad Samir Qaddah was shot dead by soldiers serving in the Syrian government’s 4th Armored Division on the road connecting the towns of al-Hirak and Nahtah in Daraa eastern countryside.”
“Al-Qaddah hails from al-Hirak. He worked within the ranks of the Syrian armed opposition factions until 2018, when the government forces entered Daraa,” he added.
In July 2018, the Syrian opposition armed factions and government forces reached a settlement agreement mediated by Russia in the opposition-held areas in Daraa Governorate. Under the deal, the opposition militants who agreed to hand over their heavy weapons were handed a settlement card and allowed to stay in Daraa, while those opposed the agreement would go to Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front).
The source continued, “Al-Qaddah was considered one of the most prominent figures wanted by the government forces, although he obtained a settlement card and did not join any military formation after that.”
Similarly, another local source told North Press that unidentified gunmen opened fire on Muhammad al-Najjar in al-Sadd neighborhood in Daraa city, killing him immediately.
“Al-Najjar was a former member of the opposition factions, and was involved in drug trafficking in Daraa city,” the source noted.
In another context, a source told North Press that a military group of the government’s Military Security branch stormed some farms in the village of Kharab al-Shahm in Daraa countryside, and clashed with the village’s residents, which led to the injury of a farmers.
The farmer was taken to Tafas National Hospital in Daraa western countryside, the source said, noting that the reason behind the security branch’s attack on the farms is still unknown.
Since the government forces re-captured Daraa in 2018, the governorate has been living in a state of insecurity, with one or two daily assassinations targeting civilians and members of the government forces, not to mention the spread of thefts.