Regime Faction Ousted from Syria’s Sweida after Intense Fighting

The headquarters of the Fajr forces during the clashes. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Fajr forces during the clashes. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Regime Faction Ousted from Syria’s Sweida after Intense Fighting

The headquarters of the Fajr forces during the clashes. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Fajr forces during the clashes. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Clashes between gunmen supporting the Damascus regime and others opposed to it in the majority-Druze southern province of Sweida killed at least 17 people this week.

The clashes erupted on Tuesday in two villages in northern Sweida when a regime faction, the “Fajr” forces, carried out an abduction.

Tensions had already been high in the area between locals and the faction, which is led by Raji Falhout.

The tensions boiled over in wake of the abduction, sparking clashes between the faction and various local armed groups.

In the end, the groups managed to seize the Fajr’s military headquarters in the town of Ateel. The facility is affiliated with the regime’s military security agency,

Rayan Maarouf, of the Sweida24 network, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the clashes on Tuesday and Wednesday left over ten members of the regime faction dead and 30 injured. Others turned themselves over to the local armed groups.

Five members of local armed groups were killed.

The network released the confessions of one detainee, who said: “Falhout handed us hashish and captagon and a monthly salary of 400,000 to 500,000 Syrian pounds.”

Sweida has for days been witnessing a sort of revolt against security forces affiliated with Falhout, whom locals have called a “terrorist”. They have committed kidnappings, arrested locals and promoted drug abuse.

Notably, the local armed groups, clans and regular individuals, who are not affiliated with any faction, were involved in the fighting.



Netanyahu Says Ordered Israeli Forces to 'Destroy Houthi Infrastructure'

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)
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Netanyahu Says Ordered Israeli Forces to 'Destroy Houthi Infrastructure'

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that he had ordered the country's military to destroy the infrastructure of Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, after they fired missiles at Israel last week.

"I have instructed our forces to destroy the infrastructure of Houthis because anyone who tries to harm us will be struck with full force. We will continue to crush the forces of evil with strength and ingenuity, even if it takes time," Netanyahu said in parliament.

The Israel military said in a statement early on Tuesday that sirens sounded in several areas in central Israel following the launch of a projectile from Yemen.

The missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, it added. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what it describes as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.