Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported that drones carrying explosives targeted internal security posts in western Suwayda on Oct. 20, two days after the province’s governor said he was ready for dialogue with residents.
Anadolu Agency said the broadcaster based its report on an unnamed security source. Anadolu’s account did not identify a faction.
In an Oct. 18 interview, Suwayda Gov. Mustafa al-Bakkour said the government was ready to discuss the province’s crisis with committees of residents. He said authorities had secured the road between Damascus and Suwayda and deployed internal security forces. Other parties had yet to fulfill their parts of a roadmap, he said, including a delegation’s planned trip to Jordan. Al-Bakkour also said residents faced economic hardship and insecurity.
The reported drone attack follows earlier accounts of violence in western Suwayda. The Syrian Arab News Agency said in a Sept. 1 report that four security personnel had been wounded while responding to attacks; Anadolu dated those attacks to Aug. 31. Al-Ikhbariya also reported gunfire at security posts and homes in Mazraa on Oct. 2.
