Security authorities in Syria announced last Saturday the arrest of a member of militias linked to the former regime in Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria, accused of committing a series of crimes against civilians and involvement in terrorist activities.
Details of the Arrest in Idlib
The commander of internal security in Idlib stated that the operation led to the capture of a member of the militias affiliated with the fallen regime, without naming him, noting his involvement in multiple violations against civilian residents. He explained that the suspect moved between several military formations of the regime and joined a sectarian group with a terrorist nature, and was also sent to fight in Libya as part of mercenary ranks.
Israeli Violations in Quneitra
In a related context, Israeli forces conducted raids on the same day in the southern Quneitra countryside, southern Syria, where a Syrian citizen was arrested during one of these operations inside a local village. Syrian sources described this measure as a new and repeated violation of Syrian sovereignty in that area.
Supply Operations and Arrests
According to local reports, an Israeli unit consisting of four vehicles entered the Abu Mzara farm west of the village of Saida al-Golan after midnight, where they raided a house and arrested a Syrian man, then transported him into territory controlled by Israel, without clarifying the reasons for the arrest.
The following morning, another Israeli force advanced into the village of Al-Asha in the southern Quneitra countryside, where they conducted searches of several homes before withdrawing, with no additional arrests reported.
Syrian media also reported that a third Israeli unit had previously entered the Ain al-Qadi farm in the same area, where they carried out comprehensive searches of residences and later left the site.
Context of Repeated Incursions
Field reports indicate that these movements are part of a series of repeated Israeli incursions in southern Syria, including raids, arrests, land leveling operations, establishment of temporary checkpoints, and restrictions on the movement of local residents.
Damascus Response
The Syrian government affirmed that what occurred represents a clear violation of national sovereignty and international law, calling for the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from occupied Syrian territories, and classifying all measures carried out in southern Syria as null and void with no legal effect.
Idlib Governorate
Idlib Governorate is a region in northwestern Syria known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, including ancient cities like Ebla, which thrived as a major Bronze Age kingdom around 2500 BCE. In modern times, the area has been heavily impacted by the Syrian civil war, becoming a focal point of conflict and a refuge for displaced populations. Its archaeological sites have suffered significant damage due to the ongoing violence, threatening centuries of history.
Quneitra
Quneitra is the largely destroyed and depopulated capital of the Quneitra Governorate in southwestern Syria, located in the Golan Heights region. The city was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and was heavily damaged before being returned to Syria in 1974 under a disengagement agreement. Today, it remains a ghost town, preserved as a symbol of the conflict, with its ruined buildings and a museum displaying the destruction.
Saida al-Golan
Saida al-Golan is a Syrian village located in the Golan Heights, an area that has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Six-Day War. Historically, the village was part of the Quneitra Governorate and was inhabited by Syrian farmers and Druze communities. Today, it remains a symbol of the ongoing territorial dispute between Syria and Israel, with many of its original residents displaced.
Al-Asha
Al-Asha is a historic village in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia, known for its traditional stone and clay architecture and ancient agricultural terraces. Its history dates back centuries, serving as a key settlement along trade routes, and it features a well-preserved fortress and mosque that reflect the region’s cultural heritage. Today, Al-Asha is recognized for its scenic mountain setting and as a site that offers insight into pre-modern Arabian life.
Ain al-Qadi farm
Ain al-Qadi farm is a historic agricultural site in the Golan Heights, named after the nearby spring of Ain al-Qadi (also known as Tel Dan Spring). The farm has deep roots in the region’s rural heritage, traditionally serving as a center for farming and livestock grazing. Its history reflects the broader cultural and political shifts of the area, including periods of Syrian control before the 1967 Six-Day War, after which it came under Israeli administration.
Damascus
Damascus, the capital of Syria, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning over 11,000 years. It served as a major cultural and commercial hub under various empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods, with the Umayyad Mosque standing as a key landmark from the 8th century. Today, the Old City’s ancient walls and bustling souks reflect its enduring legacy as a crossroads of civilizations.
