In the Syrian southern countryside of Daraa, in the city of Al-Harak, the “Ahrar Houran” group, a local faction affiliated to the Eighth Brigade, launched recently an attack on a house belonging to ISIS, resulting in the killing of two members of the terrorist organization and the wounding of others, while 4 fighters from the attacking local factions were wounded.
A media network reported that both Ahmed Anwar Al-Khatib, nicknamed “Al-Hob,” and his brother, Aghid Anwar Al-Khatib, were killed in the clashes in the city of Al-Harak in the eastern countryside of Daraa Governorate, during the clashes. They were accused of belonging to ISIS and being involved in assassinations in the region.
The “Ahrar Houran” group said that the campaign against the organization’s headquarters in the city of Al-Harak came after information was received about a secret meeting held after midnight, attended by a number of members and leaders of the organization. As a result of the clashes that occurred, the city of Al-Harak witnessed the cessation of inhabitants' movement and the closure of schools.
A spokesman of the local group said that the repercussions of the attack fall within the efforts of the local factions to achieve security stability in the region, especially since Daraa governorate has witnessed for years almost daily terrorist operations, represented by killing, assassination, kidnapping, robbery and drug trafficking. He added that the local factions in Daraa have just agreed to form a joint force to confront security threats.
ISIS is one of the most prominent security challenges facing the southern and eastern regions of Syria. Despite the defeats suffered in recent years, the organization still maintains its presence in the form of cells or collaborators in some areas. Several factors contribute to its continued activity, most notably the deteriorating security situation, as those regions of Syria are witnessing a security chaos and an authoritarian vacuum, which makes it easier to hide, move and plan.
In addition, there is the difficult economic and social situation that Syrians are experiencing, which makes some of the locals vulnerable to involvement in terrorist actions, with authoritarian, vindictive, or material ambitions. Likewise, the regional and international situation is witnessing interference and influence from countries and powers that may support or exploit the presence of the ISIS organization to achieve its interests and agenda in the region.
According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the toll of the late security incidents in Daraa governorate amounted to 463 clashes, which caused the death of 365 people. Among them were 135 civilians, 10 ISIS members, and others members of the factions, drug traffickers and persons collaborating with Hezbollah and Iranian militias.