March 2020 Daraa clashes

Last updated
March 2020 Daraa clashes
Part of the Daraa insurgency of the Syrian Civil War
Daraa Clashes (March 2020).svg
Map showing the Daraa insurgency attacks
Date1–3 March 2020
(2 days)
Location
Western and eastern part of Daraa Governorate, Syria
Result

Status quo preserved

  • Rebels capture several checkpoints and buildings in Muzayrib, Tafas, and several other towns in the province.
  • Government control over Al-Sanamayn restored on 3 March after rebels evacuate from the town. [1]
Belligerents

Flag of Syria.svg Syrian Arab Republic

Flag of Syria (2011 combined).svg Reconciled Free Syrian Army fighters

  • Thuwar al-Sanamayn [2] [3]
  • Various fighters elsewhere in the province
Syrian revolution flag.svg Syrian Opposition Loyalists
Commanders and leaders

Flag of Syria.svg Maj. Gen. Hossam Louka
(Head of Security Committee in Daraa) [4]
Flag of Syria.svg Brig. Gen. Louay al-Ali
(Head of Military Intelligence Directorate in Daraa) [4]

Contents

InfoboxNDF.png Thaer Al-Abbas
(leader of Popular Committees in Sanamayn)
InfoboxNDF.png Imad Jamal al-Labad [5] [6]
Flag of Syria (2011 combined).svg Walid al-Zahraa (leader of Thuwar Sanamayn)  [2]
Units involved

Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.svg Syrian Arab Armed Forces

Flag of Syria (2011 combined).svgSyrian revolution flag.svg Various anti-government fighters
Strength
1,000+ (Sanamayn) [8]
unknown (rest of province)
125 (Sanamayn) [9]
unknown (rest of province)
Casualties and losses
4 killed [10] 10 killed, [11] [12] 4 wounded
7 civilians killed, [13] 15 wounded [8]

The March 2020 Daraa clashes was an armed conflict between rebel fighters aligned with the Free Syrian Army and Syrian government forces in the Daraa Governorate. Clashes began after the start of a government security operation against FSA insurgent cells in Al-Sanamayn and other areas in the Daraa governorate that have been active since 2018 after the defeat of rebel forces in the province. This crackdown led to actions of retaliation by rebels across the province that lead to levels of fighting unseen on such a scale since the government offensive in 2018. The fighters involved in the attack are believed to be former rebel fighters that surrendered to the government in 2018, as well as former rebels that defected to the government, and had been working against the government from within. [14] [15]

Background

Following the 2018 offensive that brought Daraa under control of the Syrian Arab Army, tensions between reconciled rebels and the Syrian government remained high. Many rebel forces in the area agreed to Russian-brokered reconciliation deals, in which they laid down their weapons against the forces of Bashar al-Assad. Those who did not agree to the terms were sent to rebel-held areas in Idlib Governorate by bus. [16] However, forced disappearances, forced conscription and assassinations of former rebel fighters and commanders became common. [17]

A low-level insurgency against the Syrian government began. Rebel cells and insurgents have targeted army checkpoints, Syrian intelligence agencies, and reconciled rebels they accused of collaborating with the government. [18]

Formerly rebel-held towns soon became hotspots for insurgent activity. One such town was al-Sanamayn, where a former Ahrar al-Sham commander, Walid al-Zahra, had returned with a band of fighters from around Daraa province originally from the city in 2018. Al-Zahra and the group, Thuwar al-Sanamayn, gained notoriety as they carried out multiple attacks on army checkpoints and security centers during the ongoing insurgency in Daraa governorate. [19] Leading up to the military operation in Sanamyan, regular forces there were regularly engaged in clashes with rebels there. [20]

Clashes

Prelude

On the night of 29 February 2020, two divisions of the 4th Armored Division and 9th Armoured Division moved from Damascus towards Sanamayn [21] in preparation to storm the town. [20] In the morning of 1 March 2020, Reinforcements from the 5th division's 112th brigade in Izra, the 15th brigade east of Inkhil, the 9th division's 43rd tank brigade and several pro-government militias arrived outside Sanamayn in preparation for the storming of the city. [22]

Battle for Sanamayn

After Sanamayn was besieged by the Syrian military, the security operation against insurgent cells in the western and northern areas of the city began. [21] [23] Pro-government forces entered Sanamayn from several axes backed by artillery support from the 43rd brigade east of Bassir, and mortar shelling from the 9th division and 79th brigade east of the city. The rebel-held areas in north and west Sanamayn were targeted with rockets and missiles, damaging a mosque and several homes. [22] Tank and mortar fire led to casualties among civilians. Heavy fighting took place, especially in the Al-Atoum neighborhood, with pro-government forces advancing in the area. The Syrian Army faced violent resistance, with insurgents destroying a car carrying several soldiers with an RPG at the entrance to the western neighborhoods [24] [25] and damaging a tank. [26] Several pro-government fighters were killed, including a leader of military security. [21] On 2 March, heavy clashes resumed in the city, coinciding with renewed artillery shelling by the Syrian Army. [27]

Seven rebels were killed in the clashes in Al-Sanamayn, [28] including their leader, Walid al-Zahra. [19] Other accounts list the death toll for all sides in the city to be as high as 30 dead. [20]

Clashes in the rest of the province

In response to the military operation in Sanamayn, attacks were conducted against the Syrian Army in the western and eastern countryside of Daraa. After a failed attack on Tafas by the Syrian Army, ex-rebels counterattacked, [29] seizing the Tablin checkpoint between Tafas and the town of Da'el in the western countryside. [30] [26] The Syrian Army brought reinforcements from the town of Tal al-Khader towards the checkpoint, but were stopped by rebels, resulting in a tank being disabled. [26] Tanks positioned in Tal al-Khader fired at the town of Tafas, killing three fighters. [26] [27] The town of Muzayrib was captured by reconciled rebels, who also took control of the Saeqa camp inside the town. [26]

Anti-government fighters attacked and seized an army checkpoint in the Jaleen Housing district, a suburb in western Daraa, capturing four officers. Rebels elsewhere captured two soldiers of the fourth division in Al-Karak al-Sharqi and blocked routes west of Daraa. [31] The rebels also seized Air Intelligence checkpoints in the towns of Karak and al-Joulan, taking several members hostage. Opposition loyalists set up roadblocks in Nawa, Muzayrib and Karak to stop army movements. [29] A soldier was killed in front of his home in Daraa al-Balad by unknown gunmen and the bodies of three soldiers were found in the western countryside near Muzayrib. [32] [33] A group of opposition fighters from Jasim attacked a Syrian army checkpoint near the town, killing two soldiers and injuring several others. [34] Demonstrations took place at the Al-Omari Mosque in Daraa al-Balad and in the town Bosra al-Sham against the operation in Sanamayn, with the protests in Daraa al-Balad being attended by an ex-rebel leader. [26]

On 2 March, rebels attacked a checkpoint of the Syrian Army in Al-Sahwah with machine guns and RPGs, as well as the al-Hajjanah checkpoint in Hayt village west of the city of Daraa. Two Air-Intelligence checkpoints near Al-Harak and in an area between Alma and Al-Surah were attacked, leading to human losses. [27]

End of hostilities

A Russian-brokered agreement was reached between the two sides on 2 March 2020. Rebel fighters in Sanamayn were to reconcile and hand over their weapons to the Syrian authorities under Russian auspices. Fighters were also given the option to be transported to the rebel-held north of the country, [28] or to the Tafas and Bosra al-Sham areas, controlled by reconciled rebels and the Russian-backed 5th corps respectively. [35] In return, 52 soldiers captured by rebels in the western countryside of Daraa were released. [36] [37] 80 fighters chose to stay in the city and settle their status, [38] while 25 were evacuated to the town of Tafas. [39] [40] 21 rebels were evacuated on 3 March to Al-Bab. [41] Upon arrival, four were sent to hospitals to be treated for injuries received during fighting, while the rest were sent to training camps near the city. [37]

Aftermath

Major General Hossam Luke ordered the notables of Jasim to hand over the ex-rebels responsible for the attack on the checkpoint near the town. Activists in the Daraa countryside expressed concern that the Syrian Army may replicate their strategy in Sanamayn with other towns in the Houran where reconciled rebels were present. [34] The SAA brought in tens of reinforcements to the outskirts of the towns of Tafas and Jasim city, and placed artillery on the hills of Metweq and Om Horam. [42] A Russian delegation entered Tafas to monitor progress of the deals. [43] On 12 March, dignitaries from Jasim city and other towns were summoned by the Syrian authorities, who requested for the rebels inside to hand over their weapons, giving the opposition forces inside a period of ten days to hand over their weapons before the SAA stormed the city and disarmed them by force.

On 18 March, Syrian Army reinforcements brought to Daraa governorate opened fire on former opposition commanders, as they passed through checkpoints in the town of Jaleen Housing, killing two and injuring one. [44] The government forces withdrew from Jaleen back to their barracks after three soldiers were killed. [45] Later that day, the Syrian Army and loyalists began shelling the town, killing eight civilians and injuring four others. [44] [46] The Syrian Army also shelled the town of Tasil. [47]

On 25 March, two young men from Bosra al-Sham were kidnapped by a kidnapping gang from As-Suwayda, who took the men to the town of Al-Quraya. Two days later, violent clashes took place after gunmen from Bosra al-Sham attempted to infiltrate the province and attacked the town of Al-Quraya, where the two men were being held. They were repelled by the Syrian Army and pro-government local factions. [48] Four of the attackers and ten members of the local factions were killed in the clashes, and six fighters were captured. A car was targeted by the gunmen during the fighting, leading to the death of one civilian. [48] The kidnapping gang's ringleader killed himself with a suicide belt after being sought out by the local authorities in Al-Quraya. [49] The next day, on 28 March, the six captured fighters from Al-Quraya were executed in Bosra al-Sham. [49]

In November 2020, clashes would again take place in Daraa province after an attempted incursion by the Syrian Army into Daraa al-Balad, resulting in government forces launching a failed attack on the town of Karak the following day. Mediation from the Eighth brigade of the 5th corps ended the clashes. [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Sanamayn</span> Place in Daraa, Syria

Al-Sanamayn is a city in southern Syria, administratively part of the Daraa Governorate and the center of al-Sanamayn District. It is located 55 kilometres north of Daraa and 50 kilometres south of Damascus. Nearby localities include Kafr Shams to the northwest, Deir al-Bukht to the north, Jabab to the northeast, Bassir to the east, Tubna to the southeast, Inkhil to the southwest and Qayta to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Syrian Army</span> Opposition faction in the Syrian Civil War

The Free Syrian Army is a big-tent coalition of decentralized resistance militias in the Syrian Civil War founded on 29 July 2011 by Colonel Riad al-Asaad and six officers who defected from the Syrian Armed Forces. The officers announced that the immediate priority of the Free Syrian Army was to safeguard the lives of protestors and civilians from the deadly crackdown by Bashar al-Assad's security apparatus; with the ultimate goal of accomplishing the objectives of the Syrian revolution, namely, the end to the decades-long reign of the ruling al-Assad family. In late 2011, the FSA was the main Syrian military defectors group. Initially a formal military organization at its founding, its original command structure dissipated by 2016, and the FSA identity has since been used by various Syrian opposition groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa Governorate clashes (2011–2013)</span> Series of military confrontations in Syria

The 2011–2013 Daraa Governorate clashes are a series of military confrontations between the Syrian Army and the Free Syrian Army in Daraa Governorate, Syria, which began in November 2011, after widescale protests and crackdown on protesters in Daraa had lasted since April 2011. The clashes had been ongoing as part of the Syrian civil war, until the U.N. brokered cease fire came into effect on 14 April 2012. Sporadic clashes continued since then, however.

The 2014 Daraa offensive was a campaign during the Syrian Civil War launched by rebel forces, including the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front and Al-Nusra Front, to push back government forces in the Daraa Governorate, Quneitra Governorate, and As-Suwayda Governorate, in southwestern Syria, and thus opening the road to Damascus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa offensive (October 2014)</span> Military operation

The October Daraa offensive, code-named "wa al-Fajr wa Layali Asher", was a military operation launched by Syrian rebels during the Syrian civil war in Daraa Governorate, in an attempt to take control of Al-Harra and Al-Sanamayn. This operation came after the successful rebel offensive in Quneitra province, which resulted in the rebels seizing the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan and the capture of a number of towns, villages and hills in Quneitra and Daraa provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Wadi Deif (2014)</span> Siege of two Syrian Army bases

The siege of Wadi Deif refers to the siege of two Syrian Army bases, Wadi Deif and Hamadiyah, by rebel forces, during the 2014 Idlib offensive of the Syrian Civil War. The first siege of these two bases was broken by the Syrian Army on 18 April 2013. During the siege, rebels detonated several 'tunnel bombs' underneath army positions surrounding the bases, which was similar to the tactics used during the First World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa offensive (January 2015)</span> Military operation

The Daraa offensive , was a rebel offensive launched in Daraa Governorate during the Syrian civil war, in an attempt to capture the remaining Army positions in Shaykh Maskin, and thus secure the Daraa–Damascus highway, and other positions in Daraa province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Southern Syria offensive</span> Military operation

The 2015 Southern Syria offensive, code-named "Operation Martyrs of Quneitra", was an offensive launched in southern Syria during the Syrian Civil War by the Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces. Government forces also include Iranian sponsored Afghani Shi'ite volunteer militias. The name "Operation Martyrs of Quneitra" refers to the January 2015 Mazraat Amal incident, in which several high level Hezbollah and IRGC members were killed in an Israeli strike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Bosra (2015)</span> Rebel operation in the Syrian Civil War

The Battle of Bosra refers to a military operation launched by Syrian rebels during the Syrian Civil War, in order to capture the city of Bosra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa offensive (June–July 2015)</span>

The Daraa offensive was a rebel operation in the Daraa Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War. It was led by the Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army and also included the Army of Conquest "southern sector", of which the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham are part of, against Syrian government forces defending Daraa city and the surrounding towns.

The Daraa offensive was a military operation of two groups allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade and the Islamic Muthanna Movement, against Syrian opposition forces in the Daraa Governorate.

The campaign of the province of Daraa, which began on 14 November 2011 is a part of the Syrian Civil War, consisting of several battles and offensives in the province of southern Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa offensive (February–June 2017)</span> Military operation

The Daraa offensive , code named as the battle of "Death Rather than Humiliation" by the rebels, was a military operation launched by Syrian rebels against positions of the Syrian Arab Army in the Manshiyah District of Daraa city, in southern Syria, during the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Southern Syria offensive</span>

The 2018 Southern Syria offensive, code-named Operation Basalt, was a military operation launched by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies against the rebels and ISIL in Southern Syria. The fighting began with a surprise attack on rebel-held areas in the eastern part of the Daraa Governorate in an attempt to fracture rebel-held lines and weaken morale, ahead of their offensive in the greater Southern Syria region.

The Daraa insurgency was a conflict waged against the Syrian government and allies by various anti-government forces in Daraa Governorate as part of the on-going Syrian civil war. Insurgent activity began in late 2018, but drastically increased the following year. Over 1,200 attacks have occurred in the year after June 2019, when the insurgency intensified. Tensions between reconciled rebels and the Syrian government would lead to heavy armed clashes between the two sides in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popular Resistance (Daraa)</span>

The Popular Resistance was an insurgent group that operated in Daraa Governorate. The group announced itself publicly in November of 2018. Its spokesperson Saif al-Hourani described Popular Resistance as "an extension of the Syrian revolution that has never separated from it." Popular Resistance's stated goal is to topple the government and expel pro-government militias from the country. The group, composed mainly of former Free Syrian Army fighters and men facing military conscription, has waged an insurgency against the Syrian Army and intelligence agencies, Iranian-backed militias, and reconciled rebel fighters working with the Syrian government. The group carried out guerrilla-style attacks on government positions such as checkpoints, and targets officials and soldiers in assassinations.

The 2012-16 Sanamayn clashes was a military confrontation in the city of Sanamayn between the Syrian Arab Army, supported by Hezbollah, and local Syrian opposition fighters during the Syrian civil war. The battle lasted roughly three years until December 2016, and ended with opposition fighter inside the city laying down their weapons and settling their status with the Syrian government. The battle typically consisted of small clashes and skirmishes between the two sides as well as shelling of each other's positions. On occasion, the Syrian army would carry out raids against the rebel-held areas, some having led to significant civilian casualties.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war for 2021. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian civil war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Daraa offensive</span> Military operation

The 2021 Daraa offensive was an offensive between rebel fighters and Syrian government forces in the Daraa Governorate, as part of the on-going Daraa insurgency. The offensive saw heavy clashes throughout the governorate, particularly in the Daraa al-Balad neighborhood, which was besieged by government troops.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war for 2022. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found in Casualties of the Syrian civil war.

References

  1. "Former fighters arrive in N Syria after rejecting reconciliation with Syrian regime in Daraa • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 3, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Daraa: Concern over Repeating "al-Sanamayn Scenario" in Other Areas despite the "Settlement Agreement"". April 22, 2020.
  3. "Unrest in south-west Syria erupts into urban warfare". The National. March 8, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "New strategy to empty Daraa of opposition fighters". Enab Baladi. March 21, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "The Syrian affair A new settlement agreement in Sanamayn, north of Daraa, and the displacement scenario to Idlib returns again". Step News. March 2, 2020.
  6. "New attacks in Daraa claim the lives of members and a leader of the Assad militia". Call Syria. May 19, 2020.
  7. al-Nofal, Walid (2 March 2020). "Clashes in Daraa evoke memories of the start of the Syrian revolution". Syria Direct. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 ""درعا" حراك ثوري متجدد آخر محطاته الصنمين.. تفاصيل حملة نظام الأسد عليها". تجمع أحرار حوران. March 8, 2020.
  9. "اتفاق تسوية جديد بالصنمين شمالي درعا.. وسيناريو التهجير لإدلب يعود من جديد". March 2, 2020.
  10. "Daraa: several unidentified bodies found and unknown gunmen assassinate regime soldier • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 1, 2020.
  11. "Daraa's Al-Sanamin: security alert and demonstrations take place in different cities and towns of Daraa, and several killed or wounded during clashes • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 1, 2020.
  12. ""Reconcile with regime or leave to N Syria": Russia mediates a deal between Syrian regime and former fighters in Daraa • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 2, 2020.
  13. "Tensions escalate in Deraa, 'cradle of the Syrian revolution'". www.aljazeera.com. March 5, 2020.
  14. Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (March 1, 2020). "Unrest in Deraa: Interview". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi.
  15. "Daraa's Al-Sanamin: security alert and demonstrations take place in different cities and towns of Daraa, and several killed or wounded during clashes • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 1, 2020.
  16. Kareem Khadder; Natalie Gallón; Ben Westcott (July 19, 2018). "Syrian government reaches reconciliation deal with rebels in Nawa". CNN.
  17. "Cradle of Syria's uprising turns into 'chaotic' south". France 24. August 30, 2019.
  18. "Tensions in Syria's Daraa are getting out of hand". Middle East Eye. January 26, 2020.
  19. 1 2 bassamalahmed (2020-04-22). "Daraa: Concern over Repeating "al-Sanamayn Scenario" in Other Areas despite the "Settlement Agreement"". Syrians for Truth and Justice. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  20. 1 2 3 "Unrest in south-west Syria erupts into urban warfare". The National. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. 1 2 3 "بفرقتين عسكريتين وفرع أمني وآليات ثقيلة.. النظام السوري يقتحم الصنمين بدرعا.. (صور)". وكالة ستيب الإخبارية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  22. 1 2 ""درعا" حراك ثوري متجدد آخر محطاته الصنمين.. تفاصيل حملة نظام الأسد عليها". تجمع أحرار حوران (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  23. "Syrian Army launches new anti-terror operation in Daraa". March 1, 2020.
  24. "قتلى مدنيون.. اشتباكات بين قوات النظام والمعارضة في درعا بجنوب سوريا". www.aljazeera.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  25. "مقتل مجموعة لميليشيا أسد بعد استهدافهم بقذيفة في الصنمين شمال درعا". أورينت نت. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "بالفيديو| إعطاب دبابات وسيطرة على معسكرات وقصف ومظاهرات.. هذه أبرز الأحداث بدرعا وريفها". وكالة ستيب الإخبارية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  27. 1 2 3 "Fierce clashes renew in Al-Sanamayn and unknown assailants launch intense attacks targeting regime positions in rural Daraa • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  28. 1 2 "Tensions escalate in Deraa, 'cradle of the Syrian revolution'". www.aljazeera.com. March 5, 2020.
  29. 1 2 "March 1 Attacks on Regime Positions Demonstrate Growing Strength of Southern Syria Insurgency" (PDF). Institute for the Study of War. March 1, 2020.
  30. "ردًا على اقتحام الصنمين.. فصائل درعا تستولي على حاجز للنظام وتعتقل عناصره". عنب بلدي (in Arabic). 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  31. "Local gunmen respond to regime security crackdown in Al-Sanamayn by attacking regime positions in east and west Daraa • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 1, 2020.
  32. "Daraa: several unidentified bodies found and unknown gunmen assassinate regime soldier • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 1, 2020.
  33. "Aleppo correspondent today: The bodies of three members of the regime were found with gunshots in the vicinity of the town of Al-Mazyreeb in the western countryside of Daraa". Twitter. HalabtodayTV. 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  34. 1 2 "New strategy to empty Daraa of opposition fighters". Enab Baladi. 2020-03-21. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  35. "اتفاق تسوية جديد بالصنمين شمالي درعا.. وسيناريو التهجير لإدلب يعود من جديد". وكالة ستيب الإخبارية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  36. "برعاية روسية.. خروج آمن لمقاتلين من المعارضة بدرعا مقابل الإفراج عن عشرات من قوات النظام". www.aljazeera.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  37. 1 2 "How did opposition fighters in Daraa's Sanamayn go separate ways?". Al-Monitor. 2020-03-10. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  38. Al Jabassini, Abdullah (17 April 2020). "Festering Grievances and the Return to Arms in Southern Syria" (PDF).
  39. "Agreement for deporting of revolutionaries from Daraa's "Sanameen"". Call Syria. 2020-03-03. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  40. Khader, Abdul. "اتفاق تهجير جديد لمنع قوات النظام من اقتحام الصنمين". Al Araby (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  41. "Former fighters arrive in N Syria after rejecting reconciliation with Syrian regime in Daraa • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 3, 2020.
  42. "Russian delegation arrives in Daraa's Tafas to monitor reconciliation deals progress". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  43. "Russian delegation arrives in Daraa's Tafas to monitor reconciliation deals progress • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". March 12, 2020.
  44. 1 2 "Factions of Daraa launch a counter-attack against Assad regime, capture a military checkpoint". Syria Call. 18 March 2020.
  45. "Armed attack targets regime security posts in Daraa countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  46. "The Assad regime is committing a massacre of civilians west of Daraa". Zaitun Agency (in Arabic). 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  47. "Armed attack targets regime security posts in Daraa countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 18 March 2020.
  48. 1 2 "Sweida factions and regime forces repel infiltration attempt by gunmen west of the province". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  49. 1 2 "Al-Quraya dramatic developments: Armed groups in Bosra Al-Sham execute six local fighters from Al-Suwaidaa captured yesterday". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 28 March 2020.
  50. "Three military moves by "Eighth Brigade" … efforts to increase its strength". Enab Baladi. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-12-31.