A B O U T I N T E G R I T Y U K Integrity UK is an organisation committed to preventing extremism through innovative approaches to promoting integration, cohesion and social reconciliation within the MENA region and the UK. S Y R I A I N T E L L I G E N C E R E P O R T 7th – 9th July 2018 Developments in southern Syria continued to dominate Syria-related news over the course of the weekend. Following Friday’s events during which a large number of Free Syrian Army (FSA)-controlled towns in southeastern Daraa surrendered to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) under a “reconciliation” agreement, the spokesperson for the Central Operations Room, Ibrahim al-Jabbawi, announced that the agreement reached only covers eastern Daraa, noting that towns such as Na'wa and Tafas in western Daraa continue to refuse any reconciliation deals and were never covered by any surrender agreements to begin with. On Saturday, however, reports emerged that these two towns, along with the towns of Inkhil, Harrah, and Namar, have re-entered negotiations. These negotiations took place amidst a resumption of clashes in some parts of Daraa City and western Daraa for which the SAA and the FSA blamed each other. In conjunction with these developments, a number of rebel factions that refused to surrender have announced the formation of a new Army of the South (Jaish al-Junubi) made from the union of eleven factions. These include Jaish al-Ababil, Qasioun Brigades, Jaydour Houran Brigade, Jaish al-Thawra in Jaydour, The Operations and Unite Room, the Harra Operations Room, the Tasil Operations Room, the Swords of Truth Operations Room, The Free People of Quetta Brigade, the Operations Room of Determined Victory and remnants of the factions from eastern Daraa. Israel, meanwhile, reiterated its opposition to the presence of the SAA and Iranian-backed forces in the areas covered by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). In a statement published on Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday will focus on the issue. He added that he will explain to Putin the fundamental principles of Israel's policy and request that the 1974 Separation of Forces agreement, which established the UNDOF, be abided by. Netanyahu also stated that he is in contact with the United States over the matter. Subsequently on Monday, the Israeli Minister of Defence Avigdor Liebermann echoed Netanyahu, promising a “harsh response” in the event of a violation of the 1974 agreement. Also on Monday morning, there were reports of a new Israeli airstrike in the T-4 Airbase in Homs. The extent of damage caused by the strike, which may have been intended to send a signal of Israel's seriousness on the matter, remains unknown. However, initial reports suggest that a number of Iranian- linked personnel were killed and a drone command centre destroyed. Israel's position contrasts that of Jordan, which, despite its support for the FSA factions in southern Syria, appears to have welcomed the recent developments. In an interview with the Jordanian newspaper al-Rai, Brigadier General Khalid Masa’id noted on Saturday that the SAA’s control over the Nassib Border Crossing is a “positive development” for both countries and reiterated his country's decision not to accept refugees. He added that 90% of those on the border have since returned to their homes. He added that the decision to open the border is a matter for discussion between Damascus and Amman. Although General For further information, contact Integrity UK on: [email protected] Masa’id’s statements were not done in an official capacity, his views nevertheless likely reflect official Jordanian view. Over the course of the weekend, there have been rumours that Turkey and Russia are discussing handing over control of the management of the Bab al-Salameh Border Crossing in Idlib. Speaking to the pro-Opposition news site Nedaa, the general manager of the crossing, Kassem Kassem, categorically denied any prospects of a handover, noting that the border remains under the authority of the Syrian Interim Government. He added that the talks are now focused on connecting the crossing to the M5 Highway, thus re-activating the trade routes between Jordan and Turkey. Similar rumours have also surrounded the areas under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In a report published in the pro-Government al-Watan newspaper, it was reported that Damascus is in talks with the Self-Administration over managing and maintaining the Euphrates and Tishreen dams and return state institutions in return for the handover of oil fields under SDF control. Although these rumours cannot be substantiated, it is known that many within the SDF have been looking for a back-up strategy in the event of a US withdrawal from Syria. Amidst these developments, clashes across Syria have continued. In Daraa, the reports of negotiations between the SAA and FSA were frequently punctuated by clashes between the two sides, particularly around Daraa City. Over the course of the weekend, the SAA moved to gradually encircle the rebel-held half of Daraa City, capturing the Air Defence Base southwest of the Manshiya District on Saturday. Subsequently, the SAA also established control over Nassib and the southwestern portions of the Jordanian Border. By Monday, the SAA had entered the village of Kharab al-Shahe, under a surrender agreement, effectively putting southern Daraa City under siege. Subsequently, the villages of Zayzun, Tabriyat, Tal Shihab, Kharab Shahm have also announced their surrender on Monday, effectively allowing loyalist forces to take control of all border posts in the region and effectively securing the Jordanian Border except for a small area under the control of the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Jaish Khalid Ibn al-Walid. Since then, there have also been reports of an agreement in the town of Tafas, with the rebels handing over most of their weapons. The ammunition handed over to the SAA by the FSA included numerous US-made TOW Anti-Tank Missile Launchers and French-made MILAN Anti-Tank Missile Launchers. Clashes were also reported in Quneitra. On Saturday, there were reports of local rebels attacking the SAA positions in the Kurum Hill. Fighting was also reported around the town of Hader, resulting in numerous fires in the surrounding farmland. In southern Hasakah, the SDF continued its operations against the IS along the Iraqi Border. Over the course of the weekend, the SDF announced the capture of 31 villages including Iwêmiyê, Se’ida, Soyan, Hewîca, Reyhaniyê, Seracî, Xedîr Ebdella, Elmedîna, Wadî Elşok, Celxem, Xêra xerbî, Zixîr, Eldebça, Cilêb Neda, Xêra şerqî, Seqar, Wadî Ebû Hemdî, Wadî Elşeca, Sehayêm, Kulêb Foqanî, Elsîha, Ebû Fas, Riwêh, Xezîm, Mişêrfa and Kulêb Tehtanî, Abar Elebid, Elecraş, Elecrûş and Kelka, as well as many hills covering some 339 km2. These gains effectively leave much of southern Hasakah free of IS control. Indeed, following the loss of Dashisha, there were reports of many of the militants withdrawing towards Deir ez-Zour. This weekend has also seen a series of bombings and attacks linked to the IS across the Greater Idlib region. On Saturday, a car bomb exploded in the town of Dana in northern Idlib, but there were no casualties were reported. The IS also claimed the killings of two Hayy'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), one near Jisr al-Shugour and the other near Armanaz. Bombings also targeted the FSA in Tal al-Karama, killing two. Subsequently on Monday, IS militants attacked an HTS checkpoint near ICARDA in western Aleppo, killing ten. The IS also claimed the bombing of an IS vehicle in the town of Hazara in Idlib on Monday. The increased IS activity in Idlib despite the group's loss of its cells in Sarmin appears to be a troubling portent For further information, contact Integrity UK on: [email protected] for the future. Indeed, the fact that the attacks have expanded in scope and range seems to highlight that the IS insurgency in Idlib may be becoming a genuine threat against the HTS. Bombings over the weekend have also struck SDF-held regions. On Saturday, 18 people were killed and 10 others injured when a car bomb struck the SDF headquarters in Basira in Deir ez-Zour. The attack, attributed to the IS, killed a prominent SDF commander by the name of Shirgo Hasakah. Another bombing took place in Hasakah City on Sunday when an unknown motorcycle-riding attacker threw a grenade into the house of an Asayish (Kurdish Police), killing his two daughters. Bombings also targeted the Syrian National Army (SNA)-controlled northern Aleppo. On Saturday, dozens of civilians were injured when a car bomb exploded in the Jarablus town centre. Subsequently on Sunday, four people were killed when a motorcycle bomb exploded in the town of Qabasin. Another motorcycle bomb reportedly exploded in al-Bab City, but the exact number of casualties remains unknown. The People's Protection Units (YPG) have been suspected of the attacks. The YPG, meanwhile, issued a statement on Saturday, claiming the killings on a number Turkish soldiers on July 3rd, as well as the killings of numerous SNA fighters near Rajo on Friday. The statement acknowledged that one of the YPG fighters was captured alive by the SNA. Since then, the SNA and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) launched a series of operations in the Rajo and Ma'betla region. Locals reported that the operations had involved the burning of numerous fields and forests to restrict YPG movement as well as airstrikes around Jinderes and Rajo.