By Ihsan Muhammad
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Over the past six years, Daraa Governorate in southern Syria, witnessed significant changes in terms of the areas of control.
Despite the substantial role played by Russia in assisting the Syrian government forces in regaining control over the areas held by the Syrian opposition, the Russian influence receded notably.
Iran exploited Russia’s preoccupation in various regional and international affairs, particularly the Russian-Ukrainian war, attempting to increase its influence in southern Syria through its militias.
Iran-backed militias on Israel’s border
Brigadier General Abdullah al-Asaad, Director of Rasd Centre for Humanitarian and Development Studies, stated to North Press that after the government forces took control of Daraa, large numbers of militants, affiliated with Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah emerged in the region.
Brigade 313, managed by Iran, is present in the Lajat area in the eastern countryside of Daraa, and its militants hail from the town of Busra al-Sham in Daraa, he said.
Al-Assad added that the Eighth Brigade, affiliated with the government’s Fifth Corps, is almost entirely stationed in Busra al-Sham. “Despite Russia providing support for this Corps, Russian forces are currently inactive in Daraa,” he added.
He noted that there are some groups of the Military Security Branch, affiliated with the government forces, present in certain villages surrounding the city of Daraa. One of these groups is led by the local leader Muhammad al-Rifai, also known as Abu Ali al-Laham, and operates in the town of Umm Walad, east of Daraa. There are some small groups operating similarly in the villages and towns of Daraa.
The mission of these groups is to carry out assassinations and kidnappings, and create security chaos.
Furthermore, al-Asaad said that Hezbollah’s militias are deployed heavily in the region, particularly along the Syrian-Jordanian border.
He stressed that Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated groups are increasing on the Syrian-Jordanian border, as is the case with other Iran-backed militias, adding that groups of the government’s 15th Division have been replaced by militants of the Iran-backed militias of Liwa Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun to ensure full control over the border area.
Russian retraction
The Eighth Brigade is a former Syrian opposition group which was established in Daraa to fight the Syrian government. The group, which was then known as Shabab al-Sunnah, engaged in the Russian-mediated 2018 settlement agreement and, subsequently, joined the Syrian government’s Fifth Corps and formed the Eighth Brigade. The group is mostly supported by Russia.
In July 2018, the armed factions of the Syrian opposition and the Syrian government forces reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by Russia in the opposition-held areas in Daraa. Under the deal, the armed factions agreed to hand over their weapons in exchange for staying in Daraa, and those who opposed the agreement were sent to Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front).
Al-Asaad stated that Russia has largely relinquished control of the Eighth Brigade, with the exception of occasional visits by the Russian Military Police, during which they offer limited assistance.
He added that if Russia aimed to control other areas in Daraa, it would not have remained a mere spectator during the previous period. However, he emphasized that the Eighth Brigade is still affiliated with Russia and is beyond Iranian control at the moment.
Syrian government’s lax control
Osama al-Miqdad, Spokesperson for the March 18 website, which focuses on covering southern Syria, stated that although checkpoints of the government forces are deployed throughout Daraa, 90 percent of them are merely nominal and do not significantly impact the situation.
Al-Miqdad further stated to North Press that the Eighth Brigade, the de-facto ruler in the eastern countryside of Daraa, is headquartered in the town of Busra al-Sham and maintains control over many villages and towns there. Soldiers of the group are also present in the towns of Mahajjah and Inkhil, north of Daraa, as well as in some villages in the Lajat area.
After the settlement agreement, former opposition military leaders and community elders in Daraa formed two central committees to facilitate further reconciliation agreements. These committees have become quasi-local governing bodies in the reconciliation areas, especially in Daraa al-Balad in the city of Daraa and in areas in the western countryside of Daraa such as the city of Tafas, village of al-Yadudah, and the town of Muzayrib.
In the northern countryside, specifically in the cities of Jassem and Nawa, control is held by local armed groups. Al-Miqdad further emphasizes that this complex power dynamic reflects the “fragility” of the Syrian government in Daraa.
He also noted that government forces, Iran-backed militias, and other groups affiliated with Hezbollah are present in crucial areas in the governorate such as Daraa al-Mahatta in Daraa city, Izraa, Sanamayn, Sheikh Maskin, along with some villages near the Golan Heights border.