Government forces siege city in Syria’s Daraa as negotiations fail
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government forces renewed on Monday a siege on the city of Jassem in the north of Daraa, southern Syria, after negotiations with the city’s elders to hand over “outsiders” failed.
A source told North Press that the government forces renewed the siege since early Monday and the military checkpoints completely closed the roads leading to the city.
As a result, schools were suspended. The population’s movement was scarce for fear of potential clashes between the government forces and local armed groups.
The government forces are demanding the city’s leaders and the local armed groups to hand over three “outsiders” in the city and to search some farms. However, the leaders rejected this as they believe it has “hidden objectives.”
A delegation from the city led the negotiations with the Military Intelligence branch affiliated with the government forces. They fear the government forces will raid the city, according to the source.
On Dec.16, the government forces imposed a siege on Jassem after sending military reinforcements to checkpoints there.