DAMASCUS (North Press) – Though it is circulated that the Islamic State Organization (ISIS) has come to an end in Syria, the Organization seems active in separate areas in the country carrying out murder, and abduction in turn for ransoms.
A lot of Syrian soldiers still being killed by the ISIS notably in the city of Daraa added to a number of separate occurrences south the country.
Still existed
A journalist interested in political issues follows up on the ISIS extensive activity in a number of areas in Daraa and its countryside.
The journalist indicates that sleeper cells of the extremist organization target civilians and military personnel in addition to carrying out abductions, making use of the Syrian government forces’ inaction in those areas.
The journalist who spoke of the condition of anonymity added that kinds of murders that take place in those areas periodically point the finger of accusation to ISIS to be behind such acts.
Reports circulated recently signify a decapitated body of a Syrian soldier was found in fields in an area between the town of Namar and that of Jassem. Later, it was revealed that the soldier comes from the governorate of Hama.
He added a car of logistics was hit four days ago with an IED in the western countryside of Daraa.
On October 13, 18 Syrian soldiers were killed in a military bus bombing in the capital Damascus that was claimed by ISIS.
According to reports released by North Press, murders go on nearly daily bases.
Recently, an armed group killed a young man under the nose of his brother who works as a driver after he was dragged out of the bus in the western countryside of the governorate.
Civil servants affiliated with the government were killed in the city of Al-Sanamayn, north of Daraa. Such acts are carried out by armed men affiliated to ISIS, according to the reports.
Positive activity
According to sources from Daraa, figures targeted across the governorate are influential ones who want the return of the state authority whether employees or civil society figures.
Sources highlighted “the assassination of the chairman of Jassim Council the retired Brigadier General Taysir Hamdi al-Oqla by ISIS following a meeting with locals of the town in which he emphasized the necessity of launching a census on the number of strangers in the town.
No state authority
On the continued presence of such militants though the group has ended in Syria, a notable from the governorate said, “The matter owes to the absence of the state authority in a large number of areas in Daraa, leaving militants remain to run the issues.”
The notable who spoke on condition of anonymity said settlements that took place in 2018 did not lead to disarmament or deport militants whatever their affiliation is. Settlements were carried out, while militants and their weapons remained deployed in most areas.
Such a status of the affair keeps figures with close ties to the government in a state of panic, fearing to be assassinated, according to the notable.
Continued clashes
On the back of obtaining tips that militants are present in areas in the governorate, sweeping operations have been undergoing by the government forces in Jassim and the adjacent areas.
A number of ISIS leading figures have been targeted in the recent campaign including an emir of ISIS in the southern area known as Seif Baghdadi in addition to other figures such as Ayoub al-Jebawi, Ayham Faisl al-Halqi, Abu Louay al-Qalamoni, Thaer al-Nada, Abu Khaled al-Idlib, al-Dagher and Difoun.
Necessary presence
A Syrian political analyst told North Press, “ISIS militants are still present in more than one point on Syrian soil including Jazira and the border area with Iraq besides other areas on the southern border.”
He indicated, “International interests necessitate keeping such groups in Syria to be used when necessary.”