Settlements in Daraa and Israeli Military Activities in Quneitra
In recent developments in southern Syria, regime forces have initiated a new round of settlements for defectors in the city of Jassem, located in the northern countryside of Daraa Governorate. This process is being overseen by the Eighth Brigade of the Military Intelligence Division, which was established with Russian backing following the 2018 settlement agreement. According to a defector known as 'J-Q,' the terms of this new settlement are similar to previous offers, but he expressed reluctance to comply, labeling the conditions as 'suicide.' The most contentious requirement is the surrender of defectors within a month, which many, including J-Q, deem unfeasible due to the risks of imprisonment or death upon surrender.
Local leaders, such as 'A-A,' argue that the settlement attempts are merely a strategy for the regime to assert its authority amidst ongoing instability. The regime has capitalized on recent personal disputes in Jassem to push for these settlements, despite prior agreements allowing defectors to retain some light weapons. The choice of Jassem for these settlements is strategic, as it is one of the largest cities in the region, with expectations that similar efforts will soon expand to other areas of Daraa, reminiscent of the 2021 settlement processes that followed military operations in Daraa al-Balad.
Ongoing Israeli Incursions in Quneitra
Simultaneously, Israeli forces have been conducting incursions into the Quneitra Governorate, further complicating the security landscape in southern Syria. Recently, Israeli troops penetrated approximately 500 meters into Syrian territory near the town of Kodna, where they dug tunnels and constructed earthen barriers. On the following day, a significant Israeli military presence was noted west of Al-Asbah, where they leveled land and created new pathways for troop movement.
The situation has led to heightened alertness along the Syrian border, with increased reconnaissance flights over the area. Residents report a lack of response from the Syrian army, which appears to have withdrawn from certain positions, raising concerns about the potential implications of these Israeli actions. Notably, a recent incident involved Israeli forces seizing 300 goats from local herders near the border, only to return them days later.
As tensions mount in southern Syria, the dynamics between regime settlements and Israeli military maneuvers continue to evolve, leaving local populations in a precarious situation.
