Armed locals arrest government soldiers in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – The town of Tafas in the western countryside of Daraa Governorate, southern Syria, has witnessed tension since last night after Syrian government forces arrested three people, including a woman, at a military checkpoint.
This came on the background of arresting three people, including a woman by the government forces when returning from Damascus, a local source told North Press.
The government forces arrested Muhammad Khaled al-Bardan, his sister-in-law, and the car driver while returning from Damascus, the source said.
Late on Tuesday night, a group of local gunmen in Tafas raided a security post of the government forces and arrested all present members, the source added.
The government forces released the woman hours after her arrest, whereas both men are still in custody.
The local militants said they would not release the detained government soldiers until the two men were set free, the source reported.
The source stressed that things might escalate if the two detainees remain in custody.
Since the government forces re-captured Daraa in 2018, the governorate has been in a state of insecurity, as daily assassinations target government soldiers, officials and officers. Thefts have surged, too.
In July 2018, opposition factions and Syrian government forces reached an agreement, mediated by Russia, for the opposition-held areas of Daraa.
According to the deal, the opposition militants who agreed to hand over heavy weapons, were handed special cards to protect them from prosecution, and allowed to stay in Daraa. Those opposed the agreement were forced to leave for Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front).