Clashes continue in eastern Daraa over drug trafficking
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Violent clashes erupted in eastern Daraa region on Tuesday between the Eighth Brigade, affiliated with the military intelligence of Syrian government forces, and armed drug trafficking groups.
A local source told North Press, “Clashes erupted after members of the group of Ismael al-Qaddah [leader of a drug ring], nicknamed Smigel, returned to the town of Umm al-Mayathin after leaving it yesterday, following clashes with the Eighth Brigade.”
The source said that the group of Fayez al-Radi, another leader of a drug cartel, arrived at the town to support Ismael al-Qaddah’s group.
“Heavy weapons and mortars have been used in the current clashes, setting many houses on fire and injuring several civilians,” the source added.
Another local source said that a number of gunmen from al-Qaddah’s group were killed during the clashes, adding that those killed have not been identified yet due to the ongoing clashes.
Residents of the town called on conflicting parties to keep their clashes away from the town to avoid endangering civilians, several locals told North Press.
On Monday, armed groups affiliated with the Eighth Brigade stormed several towns in the eastern Daraa region looking for people involved in drug smuggling.