After thirteen years of repression under Bashar al-Assad, the province of Daraa, in southern Syria, is experiencing a historic turning point. Cradle of the uprising in 2011, it is today in the hands of rebel factions, notably the Free Syrian Army. In less than 24 hours, 100% of the province fell. But this victory is tinged with fears of reprisals, notably airstrikes.
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With our correspondent in Jordan, Mohamed Errami
After 13 years of repression, Deraa seems empty of regime soldiers. Army tanks have become child’s play. The Free Syrian Army now controls the entire province. In less than 24 hours, the entire border area fell. “ Daraa province is now empty of regime apparatus, Assad militias, Iranians and Hezbollah. It is now in the hands of the fighting heroes. The city is completely liberated “, explains Adnan Al Hourani, a soldier in the Free Syrian Army.
More than half of the residents left Daraa, fleeing to the Jordanian border post of Jaber. Others took refuge in other Syrian cities. Those who remained are hiding in a mosque. “ Thank God, the situation is calm for now in Daraa. Insha’Allah, we will see a better Syria. We aim for a civil government with the energy of young people. Everything exists in this country and no distinction should be made between Sunni Muslims, Shiites or Christians. », Testifies a resident.
Deraa remains a symbol of the fight against Bashar al-Assad because it is here that the 2011 demonstrations began after the regime’s arrest of a teenager accused of being the author of anti-government graffiti. Here therefore, the rebel factions, despite their differences, have the same enemy: The regime.