Syrian Army Claims to be 'Re-deploying' in Two Southern Provinces

The Syrian army claimed on Saturday that it is 're-deploying' in two southern provinces after a war monitor reported that government forces had lost control of most of Daraa province, the cradle of the 2011 uprising in the country. According to Agence France-Presse, the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces of Syria stated in a declaration published by state media that, 'Our forces in Daraa and Suwayda are being deployed and repositioned to create a security ring in the direction from which terrorist elements had attacked army checkpoints.' The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Friday night that local groups had taken control of over 90 percent of Daraa province, including the city of the same name. In neighboring Suwayda, the UK-based monitor and local media reported that the governor, police, prison chiefs, and the local Baath party leader had left their offices as local militants seized control of several checkpoints. The Syrian army's statement also mentioned that it is 'regaining control of the provinces of Homs and Hama in the face of terrorist organizations,' while rebels who captured key cities Aleppo and Hama last week engaged in battles with military forces near Homs. Suwayda is the center of Syria's Druze minority and has witnessed anti-government protests for over a year. Damascus has turned a blind eye to tens of thousands of Druze men who are evading compulsory military service, with the vast majority not taking up arms against the government. Meanwhile, Daraa province was the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's regime but returned to government control in 2018 under a ceasefire agreement mediated by Russia, Assad's ally. Former rebels there who accepted the 2018 agreement were able to retain their light weapons. Daraa has experienced unrest in recent years with frequent attacks, armed clashes, and assassinations, some of which have been claimed by the Islamic State group. The role of Turkey in Syrian developments and the impact of regional countries on the future of this country, according to Shahram Khalidi and Farzin Karbasi. Efforts by Turkey, Russia, and Iran to exit the 'chaos' in Syria. The U.S. supported Israel's approach in Gaza ceasefire talks. The New York Times: The Islamic Republic has withdrawn its military commanders from Syria. The rapid advance of Assad's opponents towards Homs after the capture of Deir ez-Zor and Al-Bukamal. Warning from the Islamic Republic, Iraq, and Syria about the advance of opposing forces.