Syrian government forces withdraw from Daraa after Russian intervention
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Local sources told North Press that on Monday, a Russian intervention resulted in the withdrawal of government forces from the city of Daraa and the eastern town of Karak in Daraa Governorate, southern Syria.
Sources added that the retreating groups belong to the pro-government Fourth Squad, Air Force Intelligence, and Military Security.
The sources expected that the intervention was carried out by Russian Envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, after mediating the leadership of the Eighth Brigade of the Russian-backed Fifth Corps.
Yesterday evening, Daraa Governorate witnessed an incursion by the Fourth Squad into the city of Daraa.
Military Security and Air Force Intelligence also stormed the city of Daraa and carried out arrests inside it.
Local opposition armed groups captured eight members at Air Force Intelligence checkpoints in the eastern town of Karak and killed eight others.
Yesterday, western Daraa witnessed the capture of two officers of the Fourth Squad.
The sources indicated that Russia demanded the immediate release of all those arrested yesterday evening and this morning in the areas attacked by government forces.
In addition, two members of local armed groups affiliated with the central committees in Daraa were killed, and dozens were wounded, in clashes east of the city of Daraa after the Fourth Squad attempted to storm it.
The Central Committees, a group of military leaders and activists who made settlements with the Syrian government through Russian mediation in 2018, called on the Russian guarantor yesterday to stop the incursion of government forces.
Committees called on residents of Daraa governorate to take part in demonstrations against military and security operations of the Syrian government and Iranian-backed pro-Syrian government militas.