Over the past few days, reports talked about Syrian army preparing its forces and equipment for an operation in Daraa. The New Arab news reported that army forces launched attacks in the south and these attacks seem to be part of ongoing preparations to launch a major offensive in Daraa suburbs.
South-based Free Hauran Brigades (FHB) said that earlier this week, army forces seized control of some areas in the Nahta and Sama Al-Hanidat villages in Daraa and are tightly controlling entries and exists. The FHB is an insurgent group active in Daraa and Qunaitra, and mainly in Hauran region. The group is equipped with BGM-71 Tow anti-tank missiles provided to them by the US. Its chief Mohamad al-Turkmani was killed in an infighting of the group. Although some members of the group are still active in Daraa outskirts, what is causing the Syrian army to focus on Daraa is the importance of this southern city.
Daraa libration record
The center of Daraa was liberated earlier in 2018, and the Syrian army entered Daraa the city on July 12 that year, and raised the country’s flag in this area after about seven years of it being controlled by armed groups. The city was completely cleansed of terrorists and armed groups following a push by the army, assisted by allied forces. Until today, about 90 percent of the area of Daraa province has been liberated at a remarkable speed and thanks to strength and heavy and accurate fire of the Syrian army forces on the positions of the terrorists, which led to the collapse of the positions of the terrorists and their involvement in reconciliation process with the government. However, some areas of this province are still home to terrorist activities.
Daraa province borders Rif-Damashq governorate from the north, Jordan from the south, Quneitra province from the west, and As Suwayda province from the east. It is in a desert region known as Hauran Plain. The area of this province is about 3,730 square kilometers. The ancient region of Dara’a, where the famous Houran plain is also located, is one of the 14 provinces of Syria. Despite its small area, the province is home to more than one million people out of Syria’s population of 22 million. Due to its closeness to the capital, it is one of the most populated areas of Syria. The city of Bosra of Levant and Ancient Amphitheater of Bosra are located in Daraa. Strategic importance over the history, existence of military installations due to closeness to the occupied Palestinian territories to counter possible Israeli encroachments, existence of a free economic zone, having industrial parks, and bordering Jordan as the gate of trade with Europe by connection to Aleppo transit highway in northern Syria make Daraa one of the key Syrian provinces.
Syria’s crisis started from Daraa and this city is very important in terms of its proximity to strategic roads in the southwestern Syria. From the economic point of view, the full liberation of Daraa outskirts is very important and related to its agriculture in the first place. The second reason for importance of its liberation is the existence of the international Beirut-Damascus-Amman highway, and full recapture of the province will bring back economic and trade prosperity to the three countries.
Movements of smugglers and terrorist groups
Despite liberation of Daraa the city, its suburbs are still scene to terrorist and criminal activities. On Monday, Syrian sources reported discovery of new arms warehouse of terrorists in Daraa near the border with Jordan. The warehouses were discovered as part of an operation by the Syrian army.
Terrorists are not the only illegal groups active in Daraa. The city is home to drugs cartels. The New Arab, citing Syrian army, reported that the Syrian forces are pushing to block drugs smuggling activities in Daraa outskirts. Suwayda24 news website, citing a security source, reported that the recent operation of the army was aimed at suppressing drug smugglers and dismantling drug cartels affiliated with ISIS terrorist group. The Syrian news outlet added that the army and military forces have already prepared for extensive operations with the aim of setting up new checkpoints and searching for wanted persons and weapons in the areas of Daraa city and Daraa camp, as well as in the cities and villages located in western Daraa.
The New Arab further reported that over the past few years, Daraa has
witnessed considerable rise in an array of crimes including producing
and smuggling drugs, kidnapping, and lawlessness. These are motivating
the army to concentrate on the city situation. These days, Syrian
government is making substantial diplomatic achievements, including
improvement of relations with Saudi Arabia, once a backer of armed
groups fighting Damascus. By launching operations against criminal
groups, including drug smugglers and dealers, the government wants to
demonstrate that it is capable of protecting security and blocking drugs
transit. Actually, at present, the Syrian government needs to prove to
other countries in the region its role in regional security protection,
and tougher fight against the drugs cartels is part of a security role
president Bashar al-Assad’s government plays to ensure security in Syria
and the region.
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