Unknown attackers kill government member in Syria’s Daraa
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Unidentified gunmen shot dead on Thursday a member of the Syrian government forces in the city of Daraa, south Syria.
A local source told North Press that, “Ala’a Radwan Abu al-Qayas, a member of Military Intelligence branch of the government forces, was killed by unidentified gunmen in al-Manshiya neighborhood in the city of Daraa.”
The source added, “Abo al-Qayas was previously serving in an opposition armed faction, but the group joined the ranks of the Military Intelligence after the government forces regained control of Daraa Governorate 2018. This group is led by Mustafa Al-Masalmah, also known as al-Kasam.”
In July 2018, the Syrian opposition armed factions and government forces reached a settlement agreement mediated by Russia in the opposition-held areas in Daraa Governorate. Under the deal, the opposition militants who agreed to hand over their heavy weapons were handed a settlement card and allowed to stay in Daraa, while those opposed the agreement would go to Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front).
The source stressed on that “Radwan is considered the most prominent member of the group; he used to work as security member of the group, following and collecting information about people wanted by the government forces.”
The source pointed out, “His brother, who is called Mohammed and is a member of the same group, was killed by gunmen during a raid executed by the Military Intelligence on one of the houses in the town of Jasim, in the northern countryside of Daraa, 20 days ago.”
Since the government forces re-captured Daraa in 2018, the governorate has been living in a state of insecurity, with one or two daily assassinations targeting soldiers and officers of the government forces, not to mention the spread of thefts.