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On August 31, former Syrian rebels kicked off a security operation to neutralize ISIS cells in the southern city of Daraa with direct support from the Syrian military and intelligence.
The security operation is reportedly being led by the 8th Brigade, a Russian-backed formation of the military’s 5th Corps that is mainly made of up local fighters and former rebels from the countryside of Daraa. The military has been supporting the operation with artillery, while the intelligence has been providing information on the movements of terrorists.
The operation was launched in response to a recent suicide bombing that targeted the house of a former rebel commander in Daraa al-Balad. The commander, Ghassan Akram Abazid, survived the attack. However, four of his relatives and neighbors were killed. The attack was orchestrated by ISIS.
As of November 2, the terrorists, some of whom are reported to be senior commanders of ISIS, are still holding out at several buildings in al-Sad street in the southern part of Daraa city, which is commonly known as Daraa al-Balad.
The heavily-armed terrorists have been reportedly showing fierce resistance. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the battle in Daraa al-Balad has claimed the lives of three terrorists, two government-backed fighters and three civilians, so far.
In mid-August, a similar security operation that targeted its cells in the town of Jasim in the western Daraa countryside. Some 20 terrorists were killed there.
The ongoing operation in Daraa al-Balad reflects the determination of Syrian government forces and local fighters to end to ISIS presence in the southern region. It also highlights a major improvement in coordination and cooperation between the two side.
