Situation Report 4
January 31, 2019
- Summary
In June 2018, Daraa province fell under the control of the Government of Syria (GoS) which, along with its allies and Russia, had made many threats to invade the province. Like other regions, the residents of Daraa then had no choice but to submit to the so- called “settlement agreement,” with the GoS, with Russia guaranteeing that no harm would come to the population. The agreement stated that opposition armed groups had to hand over their heavy and medium-sized weapons and allow the gradual entry of GoS state institutions into their areas of control. The agreement also indicated that civilians would not be made the targets of retaliation by the GoS and its security services and militias, and would end the prosecution of Daraa’s residents.
The Syrian Civic Platform (SCP) is preparing a series of situation reports that highlight the conditions experienced by the civilian population in Daraa after the GoS took control of the province.
This report attempts to shed light on the economic, social and security situation during the period from December 10, 2018 to January 25, 2019. What characterized this period, was the return of a number of Syrian families from Jordan, increasing pressure on the eastern areas. The main reason behind people’s return is the fear of losing their properties and assets the GoS.
- Security situation
The security situation during the reporting period was relatively calm. However, there with some incidents of assassination, especially in the town of Dael, 14 kilometers north in Daraa province. In addition, public tension has emerged as a result of arrests by the Criminal Security Department in the province based on requests and warrants from other GoS security departments.
The following is a summary of the most significant incidents that occurred during the reporting period.
- Assassinations of former Syrian activists has declined. Some assassinations have been documented in the towns of Dael, Ghabaghib and Daraa al-Balad, as well as an assassination attempt against a former leader of the opposition armed group Osod Sunna. There have also been assassinations against representatives of local councils in the province who are affiliated with the GoS. The mayors of the towns of al-Yadudah and al-Musayfirah were assassinated, and an assassination attempt was made against the mayor of the town of Muzayrib.
- There has been continued arrests of some of the former members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) as well as those who have settlement cards,[1] with people arrested from the towns of al-Harak, Dael, al-Sorah, Khail and Busra al-Harir. Among those detained were two women who were released after a very short period of time. GoS forces generally avoid arresting women in order to avoid violence in the area due to the sensitivity of this issue in Daraa. In addition, the GoS security services raided the town of al-Musayfirah and arrested more than 10 men under various pretexts, such as personal law suits or affiliations to the extremist armed group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. Raids are conducted in the presence of the mayor of the town to avoid any contact with women.
- There is widespread kidnapping in the province. Two former activists were kidnapped, as well as two border guards belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces. It is noteworthy that many of the kidnappings were committed by GoS security services and that that these incidents prompted the dignitaries of the province to take action: Daraa officials asked Russian officials in the province to exert pressure on GoS for the release of the kidnapped people. In addition, local women attempted to investigate the whereabouts of their abducted and detained relatives.
- One of the kidnapping incidents mentioned was the abduction of a person by the Air Force Intelligence agents on the Karak- al-Musayfirah –Gharri road. This resulted in the Air Force Intelligence security point in the town of Karak being seized by locals to try to pressure for the release of the abducted.
- The GoS began handing over the names of those who were tortured to death in detention centers, to Civil Departments in the towns of Akraba, al-Sanamayn, Dael, Tafas and Daraa al-Balad.
- The former commander of the Karama Brigade, Mohammed Rashid Abu Zeid, was tortured to death in a GoS-controlled detention center, after his arrest in Damascus in October 10, 2018.
- In the towns of Mahjeh, al-Hamer and Majdeel, the Air Force Intelligence Branch raided some persons affiliated with the GoS as well as reconciliation activists. They confiscated their weapons and arrested them.
In addition, the following incidents were monitored and documented.
- Military barriers and checkpoints at the entrances of areas not controlled by the GoS have been reinforced to prevent the entry of those wanted for compulsory military service into these areas to hide.
- There has been indiscriminate and irresponsible proliferation of weapons, especially in the towns of Daraa al-Balad and Dael.
- There have been 20 to 30 cases of mines exploding in several areas during the previous months. Most of these explosions took place in the towns of Inkhil, Abtaa, Almah and Mahjeh.
- Warehouses belong to the GoS have been found, as well as graves of GoS soldiers in the towns of Dael, Abtaa, Naseeb, and al-Hara, as well as along the Jordanian border.
- An attack was made against the Civil Department in Ghabaghib, which has a center controlled by the Syria Military Security Branch.
- There were clashes between the Fifth Corps and one of the leaders of its groups because of his dismissal from the Corps.
Forced conscription and Mandatory Reserve Service
The specter of conscription and mandatory reserve service is still present among the residents of Daraa, as Russian guarantees have not been complied with. The following are the instances of forced conscription and mandatory reserve service.
- The settlements agreements were extended to more than 115,000 people in the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra.
- After the settlements were extended, Syrian men were informed of the need to join the military service. More than 3,000 military notifications were seen.
- A 15-day deadline was given for returnees from outside Syria to contact the military recruitment divisio in order to obtain official papers such as identity documents and their military record book.
- The widespread recruitment of young people in the Iran-backed Hezbollah and al-Quds Brigade, where roughly 250 people from the Lajah area, 50 kilometers southeast of Damascus, were recruited under the supervision of a former FSA commander.
- Economic situation
- The economic situation of the people of Daraa continues to deteriorate amid the absence of international humanitarian organizations that previously supported the southern region. Residents receive support only from the Red Crescent in Daraa and from the church in Houran in addition to some local associations.
- There is a lack of wheat grain which exacerbates the bread shortage in most areas, even those controlled by the GoS.
- There are high prices due to the high cost of production, transportation, as well as the transport of goods to neighboring countries, especially Jordan.
- Cards for licensed vehicles to access fuel supply at special prices have been issued during the reporting period. This led to higher fuel prices and the difficulty of obtaining fuel.
- The increased demand for gas and diesel fuel for heating led to a significant rise in prices. The price of one gas cylinder is 8,000 SYP ($16 USD), and liters of diesel exceeded 450 SYP ($0.9 USD).
- Increased pressure on citizens to pay outstanding bills of water, electricity and telephone for the past years. To do so, most government transactions require obtaining a document from government departments.
Finally, the legal situation of citizens in Daraa province continues to be stressful for the population. There have been notifications of property seizures for some local leaders and activists, which are a major concern despite such people having obtained the government-issued settlement cards. In addition, the province still witnesses anti-regime writings on the walls, as in the towns of Karak, Umm Walad, Jasim and Nawa.
[1] Settlement card: A collection of papers signed by a person who aims to reach an agreement or settlement with the GoS. The settlement card prohibits the signatory person from participating in demonstrations, or any other activates against the GoS as well as its military institutions. It also prohibits the use of media against the ruling regime.