Outlaw Groups Block Major As-Suwayda to Damascus Road
Outlaw groups in As-Suwayda province completely blocked the main As-Suwayda to Damascus road on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in a series of violations that have severely disrupted public services and the movement of residents.
Qutaiba Azzam, Director of Media Relations for the As-Suwayda Media Directorate, confirmed that the groups obstructed both directions of the highway at the Umm al-Zaytun checkpoint, which they currently control. In contrast, Azzam noted that internal security forces continue to operate the Matouna checkpoint, where they are actively working to provide all possible assistance to citizens amidst the current challenges.
This incident highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region, which has been exacerbated by similar actions from these groups. Last Wednesday, the same elements prevented approximately 100 employees from reaching their workplaces in the Al-Surah al-Sughra area of the northern countryside after detaining them at the Umm al-Zaytun checkpoint. In recent months, these groups have also prevented students from traveling to sit for their general certificate exams and have been linked to repeated assaults on security force outposts in the western countryside.
Mustafa Al-Bakour, the Governor of As-Suwayda, issued a warning on the 18th of this month regarding the dangerous consequences of the lawlessness imposed by these groups. Al-Bakour emphasized that the province’s residents are suffering directly from deteriorating living conditions, escalating threats, and kidnappings carried out to serve the interests of these factions. He further noted that these groups actively hinder any efforts aimed at restoring stability and security to the province.
The closure of vital arterial roads exerts significant pressure on transportation, the flow of goods, and essential public services, creating additional hardships for a population already struggling under current economic and living conditions. Local authorities in As-Suwayda continue to monitor these violations while attempting to mitigate their impact on daily life and ensure that public institutions remain functional. There are growing public demands to put an definitive end to these practices, which threaten the stability of the local community.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
