Security Forces Arrest Wanted Individuals, Seize Weapons in Southern Syria
By Kardo Roj
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government security forces carried out a coordinated operation on Wednesday in the town of Jassem in rural Daraa, southern Syria, resulting in the arrest of multiple individuals and the seizure of unlicensed weapons and ammunition.
According to state-affiliated media, the security campaign targeted persons wanted on various charges and aimed to reduce the circulation of unregistered arms in the area. Several types of weapons, including automatic rifles, explosive devices, and assorted munitions, were confiscated.
“This campaign comes within ongoing efforts to enhance stability and re-establish the rule of law in rural parts of the governorate,” government sources reported.
The operation follows a series of security incidents in Daraa, a region that has remained volatile since the 2018 Russian-brokered settlement, which saw former opposition factions enter into reconciliation agreements with the central government. Despite those accords, incidents involving assassinations, clashes, and attacks on military checkpoints have persisted, reflecting the fragile state of security.
An official source speaking to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that the operation was executed with detailed coordination between relevant security branches. “The operation was planned carefully to ensure civilian safety and achieve set objectives,” the source stated.
The same source confirmed that “a number of high-profile wanted individuals were arrested,” adding that the seized weapons were linked to activities undermining public order.
Daraa province, historically a stronghold of early anti-government protests, continues to experience periodic unrest and instability, despite government control being nominally restored. Local tensions have been fueled by unmet socio-economic demands, limited service provision, and a lack of trust between residents and security actors.
While these operations are officially described as efforts to restore order, many residents express concerns about arbitrary detentions and the broader implications of such campaigns on community life.
Elsewhere in the country, particularly in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), security forces affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have implemented community-based safety initiatives aimed at countering the spread of weapons and maintaining public order. The contrast in approaches highlights differing governance structures across Syria’s fragmented landscape.
No information was provided regarding the identities of the detained individuals or whether they would face formal charges. Human rights organizations have previously called for increased transparency in such operations and for the protection of civilian rights in post-conflict stabilization efforts.
Authorities stated that similar operations are likely to continue in the coming period as part of a broader campaign to contain localized violence and restore state authority in southern Syria.