Local news networks said that the Assad regime forces and security services detained two former members of the Free Syrian Army and former head of the local council in the town of Al-Harra in rural Dara’a on Thursday. The arrests came despite pledges by Russia to protect those who agree to enter into settlement agreements with the Assad regime in return for being allowed to stay in their areas.
The Syrian Coalition of said that these arrests exposed the falsity of the Russian claims of giving guarantees to former regime opponents as these guarantees proved to be empty and worthless.
The Coalition said that these arrests proved that Russia did not have the ability to rein in the actions of the Assad regime and its allied foreign militias as well as exposed the dark side of the Russia role in Syria.
Local activists said that the Assad regime forces detained Suhaib al-Qawarit and Mohammed al-Zarqan, former members of one of the Free Syrian Army groups that used to operate in the town of Al-Harra as well as Mohammed al-Dahi, former head of the local council in the town and took them to an unknown location.
“The Assad regime has a proven track record of reneging on all agreements and pledges as well as of seeking to take revenge on its opponents,” the Coalition said. “No one trust the Assad regime. Since the start of its military intervention in Syria, Moscow has been seeking to convince the international community that it is in control of the situation in the country. However, facts on the ground proved the falsity of the Russian claims.”
The Assad regime forces have repeatedly violated the settlement agreements it imposed on residents of Dara’a province under Russian guarantees for the safety of those who agree to enter into these agreements. Local activists said that regime forces carry out arrests and raids in various areas of the province on almist daily basis.
The settlement agreements were reached in August in the wake fierce battles and brutal bombing campaign by the Russian and Assad regime air forces on towns and villages in Dara’a province. Local rebel groups were forced to agree to the Russian conditions for settlement deals following announcement by the United States that it was ending support for the rebel and FSA groups in the region. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
