Syrian regime forces backed by Russia's military police have besieged Daraa al-Balad city in southern Daraa province as residents refuse to hand over their own weapons, local reporter said Saturday.
Local activists say the Russian demand is a new trick to tighten control over the Old City of Daraa, Daraa al-Balad, that is considered as the cradle of the Syrian revolution.
The regime forces have closed all roads leading to Daraa al-Balad, except for the Sijna neighborhood road, which is controlled by Military Security and the Fourth Division.
The newly-appointed Russian general demanded from the Central Committee, a local governing group, to hand over individual weapons in exchange for evacuating pro-Assad militias from Daraa al-Balad neighborhoods.
Residents went out in a protest on Friday, stressing that they will not surrender their individual weapons in front of a regime accustomed to treachery, betrayal and revenge, according to Zaman reporter.
Damascus has failed in southern Syria as its notorious security services continue arrests campaigns and keep tracking former rebel fighters who laid down their weapons, seeking to start a new post-war life.
Ten years of war in Syria have killed 500,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6.7 million as refugees to neighbouring countries.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.