New Delhi: An explosion in southern Syria’s Daraa province claimed the lives of twelve individuals, including a group of children, in a tragic incident that shook the region. The province, which had a significant role in the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, has been facing ongoing challenges despite coming under government control in 2018 through a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Russia.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified Ahmed al-Labbad as the alleged perpetrator of the explosion, accusing him of planting the explosive device that resulted in the children’s deaths. Al-Labbad, who was described as leading an armed group, refuted these allegations, as reported by sources within Syria.
Following the incident, clashes erupted between Al-Labbad’s group and another armed group led by an individual with ties to the Islamic State (IS) who is currently working for military intelligence. The violence escalated as Al-Labbad’s residence was set ablaze, leading to casualties among members of both groups and an innocent civilian caught in the crossfire.
Drug-related items were discovered at Al-Labbad’s residence, further complicating the situation in the province. Despite the ongoing clashes, Syrian state media did not provide immediate coverage of the events that transpired on Sunday, with the official state news agency, SANA, reporting a different death toll and attributing the incident to ‘terrorists.’
Daraa province has been a volatile region marked by attacks, clashes, and assassinations, with former rebels still in possession of light weaponry under the 2018 Russian-backed agreement. Recent incidents include the killing of a jihadist militia leader and seven individuals affiliated with IS during clashes with local factions.
The Syrian civil war, which originated from protests in 2011, has had a devastating impact on the country, resulting in over half a million casualties and extensive damage to its economy and infrastructure. Despite efforts to bring stability to the region, violence and unrest continue to plague areas like Daraa, highlighting the challenges faced in rebuilding and reconciliation in war-torn Syria.