File image.
On September 4, local leaders in the southern part of the Syrian city of Daraa, known as Daraa al-Balad, issued a statement calling on the King of Jordan Abdullah II to intervene and solve their crisis.
In the statement, the Negotiation Committee in Daraa al-Balad called on Abdullah II to pressure Syrian authorities into ending their siege on their area, which began more than two months ago. The committee also hoped that Jordan will grant the area’s residents refuge, if the crisis was not solved.
A day earlier, the Negotiation Committee withdrew from the reconciliation agreement that was brokered by Russia on August 31.
Wanted gunmen in Daraa al-Balad refused to hand over their weapons, or to allow the Syrian Arab Army to establish positions in their area.
The Negotiation Committee called on Russia and Syrian authorities to open a safe route for all the residents of Daraa al-Balad towards either Turkey or Jordan.
Syrian authorities responded by sending buses to the entrance of Daraa al-Balad on the morning of September 4. Yet, the Syrian Arab News Agency said that those who decide to leave will be sent to opposition-held areas in northern Syria. The Negotiation Committee in Daraa al-Balad rejected this, stressing that they would only leave to Turkey or Jordan.
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Residents of Daraa al-Balad hope to stay in their area. The demands of the Negotiation Committee are likely just a stunt meant to drag Turkey and Jordan into the crisis in order to pressure Syrian authorities.
The SAA may resume its military operations against the remaining gunmen in Daraa al-Balad in the upcoming few hours in order to pressure the Negotiation Committee.
Interesting! Idlib province is no longer a preferred destination for the jihadists.