Southern Syria offensive (2024)

Southern Syria offensive (2024)
Part of the Syrian civil war
Date 29 November 2024 — Ongoing Location Daraa Governorate and As-Suwayda Governorate, Syria
Belligerents
Syria	8th Brigade of the 5th Corps Various Southern Syria rebel groups
Casualties and losses
2 killed	Unknown
3 Bedouin tribe members killed

Beginning on 29 November 2024, southern Syrian opposition groups began assaults on Daraa Governorate and As-Suwayda Governorate in Southern Syria, along the nation's border with Jordan. The offensive was publicly announced as a coordinated effort with the Northwestern Syria offensive to implement a pincer movement towards Damascus. The Syrian Armed Forces initiated counter attacks, including a deployment of military personnel to the strategic city of Daraa.

Background

Since July 2018, Daraa had officially been under government control following a Russian-mediated settlement agreement. However, complete government authority in the region remained contested, particularly in Daraa al-Balad and western rural areas.

Offensive

Following the onset of the Northwestern Syria offensive, Syrian rebel forces in the south of the nation released a public announcement attributed to the "Revolutionaries and Free Men of the Eastern Region of Hauran", declaring plans to coordinate military activities with northern opposition groups. The rebel groups intended to implement a pincer movement plan, specifically targeting Damascus with simultaneous pressure from both northern and southern opposition forces. The southern opposition movement, centered in Daraa province, established a coordinated military framework involving multiple factions, including the Eighth Brigade. Local media outlet Daraa 24 reported plans for targeted operations against government military installations and checkpoints in the region.

Beginning on 29 November, rebel groups commenced operations against Syrian government installations across the southern region, with particular focus on the Daraa and As-Suwayda governorates. These activities primarily targeted government security infrastructure, including military checkpoints and security apparatus positions. In Inkhil, north of Daraa, opposition forces established a siege of the State Security Center. Concurrent activity included a rocket attack targeting the Air Force Intelligence facility in Suwayda.

Unidentified combatants fired upon Syrian Armed Forces (SAF) military personnel near Om Shama Town in the eastern region of Suwayda Governorate, resulting in the death of an SAF first lieutenant from Tartus and the wounding of two additional service members. On 30 November, another SAF first lieutenant and three Bedouin tribe members were shot to death by opposing combatants. A local armed group commander was killed by gunfire in Tafs City in western Daraa, while another was wounded.

On 30 November, the Syrian Armed Forces implemented a significant military deployment to Daraa, a strategic city in southern Syria. Military leadership confirmed the deployment as part of ongoing national security operations, specifically aimed at addressing concerns related to militant organizations operating within southern Syrian territories. The General Command of the Syrian Armed Forces issued a formal statement regarding the operation, and announced that the armed forces were executing counter-responses to combat "terrorist entities" in the region.

Responses

Multiple cities within Daraa Governorate witnessed public demonstrations supporting rebel forces, including Tell Shihab, Tafas, Nahta, Maaraba, Al-Jiza, and Al-Hirak. During these events, Syrian government forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in the city of Inkhil, located in northern Daraa.

Former Daraa Omari Mosque preacher and religious leader Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sayasneh endorsed the opposition's military campaign as a necessary response to actions by government forces and Iranian-affiliated militias.