In a tragic incident in southern Syria’s Daraa province, twelve lives were lost, including a group of children, due to an explosion that shook the region. The incident, which took place on Sunday, was reported by a war monitor, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by the province despite coming under government control in 2018 through a ceasefire agreement supported by Russia.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Ahmed al-Labbad, a former state security agency worker leading an armed group, as the individual responsible for planting the explosive device that resulted in the children’s deaths. However, al-Labbad denied these allegations, as reported by the monitor relying on sources within Syria.
Following the tragic incident, a separate armed group, led by an individual with ties to the Islamic State (IS) and currently working for military intelligence, clashed with al-Labbad’s group in retaliation. The violence escalated as al-Labbad’s residence was set on fire, leading to casualties among members of both groups and an innocent civilian caught in the crossfire. Drug-related items found at al-Labbad’s house further complicated the situation, with ongoing clashes reported in the area.
Daraa province has been a hotspot for attacks, clashes, and assassinations, with former rebels retaining light weaponry under the 2018 Russian-backed agreement. The Syrian civil war, stemming from 2011 protests, has had a devastating impact on the country, claiming over half a million lives and severely damaging its economy and infrastructure. The recent events in Daraa serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence and unrest plaguing the region.