A year has passed since the Russian-sponsored settlement deal was signed between the Syrian regime and opposition factions regarding southern Syria. The deal was signed after a military operation waged by the regime, with Russia’s backing, in late June 2018.
As a result of the agreement, which saw the return of the regime and withdrawal of opposition factions, southern Syria now lives in relative peace away from the violence in other parts of the war-torn country. This has not however, helped restore normal life in the region. Several issues related to security, services, prisoners and draft dodgers remain pending.
The regime has complied with some stipulations of the deal, while others remain pending, most notably the withdrawal of Iranian militias from the region, the prisoner file and conscription dodgers. The delay in resolving these issues and the regime’s arrests in certain areas have increased tensions and popular anger. Several rallies were staged and anti-regime slogans were once against written on the walls.
One local, Ahmed, said the arrests were the greatest obstacle in restoring trust between the people and state. He also said the fate of several prisoners held by the regime remained unknown.
Since the signing of the settlement in July 2018, the regime has arrested some 500 people.
The quality of services, such as water and electricity, remains varied between areas that were always under regime control and others that were held by the opposition. For example, Daraa city enjoys longer hours of electricity than other areas that only enjoy four or five hours a day.
Despite this, life is returning to normal. Destroyed schools are being renovated, fuel and gas is available at lower prices than before and businesses have been revitalized after the reopening of the Nassib border-crossing with Jordan.
A resident of the Daraa countryside said the settlement with the regime spared the region destruction and more death.
“This time last year, we were forced to flee the military campaign and the horrors of war were getting worse every day,” he remarked. “After the international community abandoned us, the best solution for the region lay in the settlement and attempting to reap as many gains for the area and its people.”
Now, the Russian Fifth Corps and the Maher Assad’s 4th Division are competing to gain new recruits in the area. They are each attempting to lure draft dodgers from opposition factions to their ranks, informing them that by joining, they would be fulfilling their military enlistment duty. The majority have opted to join the Fifth Corps, rather than the division of the brother of regime leader Bashar Assad. Russia offered them pledges that by joining the Fifth Corps, they will receive a monthly salary of $200 and guarantees that they will not be persecuted by the regime.
Sources said thousands of draft dodgers still remain in the South. Some voluntarily joined the regime forces, but as the North again witnessed a flare-up, many chose to desert the military after they were deployed to the frontlines in eastern and northwestern Syria. They opted to remain in Russia-held areas of the settlement where the regime, so far, does not have actual power.
Hussam al-Hourani, an activist from the South, revealed that security chaos once again returned to the area only months after the settlement took effect. He said a clash for power has led to assassinations of figures that are either close to Russia or the Iranian militias and Hezbollah party. The latter groups are seeking to gain ground in the South.
Moreover, anti-regime sentiment began to again rise in the villages and towns of Daraa. The “Popular Resistance” and “Southern Brigades” have claimed several attacks against regime forces. Opinions remain divided over who is behind these factions.
