Unidentified Gunmen Attack Syrian Army Checkpoint, Base In Eastern Daraa

Illustrative image.

On January 22, heavy clashes broke out between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and unidentified gunmen in the eastern countryside of Daraa.

The gunmen attacked a checkpoint of the SAA near the town of Mlaiha al-Garbiah as well as the army’s 52^nd Brigade base. The army’s quick reaction forced the gunmen to flee. No casualties or human losses were reported.

At around the same time, an indirect fire attack targeted Mlaiha al-Garbiah and the nearby town of the Hrak. At least eight people were wounded. Syrian opposition sources claimed that the SAA shelled the two towns with mortars and artillery. However, this is yet to be confirmed.

This was the fourth attack to target Syrian government forces and local government supporters in Daraa in less than a week.

• On January 16, an IED attack that took place in the northern part of the governorate’s city center claimed the life of Mohamad Bassam Turki al-Masalmah, a local pro-government field commander who used to work with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA)’s elite 4^th Division.
• On January 18, unidentified gunmen attacked a joint checkpoint of the SAA’s 52^nd Brigade and the Air Force Intelligence Directorate near the town of Mlaiha al-Garbiah in the eastern countryside of the governorate. Two service members were allegedly killed.
• On January 19, at least 14 Syrian security officers were lightly wounded when an improvised explosive device targeted a bus that was carrying them as it was passing on a road between the towns of Saida and Eastern Ghariyah. The officers on their way back from the Nassib crossing on the border with Jordan to their base in the capital Damascus.

The recent attacks in Daraa are alarming to say the least. No group has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks, so far. Government forces are yet to respond by imposing strict security measures in the governorate.

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