Daraa Governorate

History

Civil War (2011–2024)

Main article: Syrian civil war

Protests and subsequent clashes (2011–2012)

Main article: Siege of Daraa

Civilians in Daraa began protesting against the Assad government's authoritarian practices, which later prompted similar protests across the country. The Syrian government responded by besieging the city, which prompted some protesters to arm themselves. The escalating tensions eventually lead to the creation of the Free Syrian Army on 29 July 2011 by defectors from the Syrian army. Several smaller rebel groups were also created by protesters, which operated under the umbrella of the larger Free Syrian Army.

Daraa contested by Syrian government and rebels (2012–2018)

The Syrian government would begin an intense shelling of Daraa on 16 February 2012 in response to the Free Syrian Army aiding protesters. The Syrian army would later attack parts of the city with anti-aircraft guns in response to the Free Syrian Army reportedly controlling one district of Daraa, bordering Jordan. By February 2014, the strongest opposition faction fighting in the Daraa governorate would be the Southern Front, which is a loose series of military alliances.

Various offensives between 2013–2015 would see the Syrian rebels gain territory until 25 June 2015, where the Syrian army would wage their first successful offensive against the rebels. This was shortly thereafter followed by a second successful offensive, capturing the city of Ash-Shaykh Maskin. This would later be followed by a successful offensive by rebel forces, recapturing parts of Daraa. After several ceasefires and minor offensives, the Syrian army launched a successful offensive to retake most of the rebel-controlled territory in Daraa. This was followed by a major insurgency between 23 November 2018 and 5 September 2021, with a minor insurgency following it. Due to the weakened state of rebel forces, several groups accepted reconciliation talks with the Syrian government.

ISIL Presence in Southern Daraa (2016–present)

Main article: Islamic State

An offensive by two groups allegedly associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) would see a cell established around the settlement of Nahj, roughly 9 km away from the capital of Daraa. The Free Syrian Army would later recapture most of the lost territory, with ISIS-affiliated forces remaining in the Yarmouk Valley on the border with Jordan. On 20 February 2017, ISIS launched a successful offensive to capture Tasil. ISIS would remain there until the Syrian army launched an offensive to retake territory from both ISIS and other rebels. As of today, ISIS presence in Daraa is weak, with it only executing sporadic attacks.

Lesser fighting and sporadic reconciliation efforts (2018–2024)

After the offensive which put most of southern Syria back into the Syrian army's control, several rebel forces would accept reconciliation talks. However, these reconciliation talks would restart several times due to clashes between rebel forces and the Syrian army. The March 2020 Daraa clashes resulted in a return to the status quo, with the 2021 Daraa offensive resulting in the Syrian government recapturing Daraa city.

Rebel resurgence (2024)

Main article: Southern Syria offensive (2024)

The Southern Front launched an offensive on 29 November 2024 to capture the entire Daraa governorate. On the 6 December 2024, the Southern Front announced a military alliance with various Druze rebel groups, creating the Southern Operations Room. As of the 8 December 2024, the Southern Operations Room fully controlled Daraa Governorate.

Continued hostilities (2024-present)

Israeli invasion (2024-present)

Main article: Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)

On 8 December 2024, Israeli soldiers would cross into the UN-buffer zone in violation of their ceasefire agreement with Syria, invading the Quneitra and Daraa governorates. Israeli Army Radio cited a need to strengthen its border with Syria as justification for the invasion. Later, on 23 February 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would demand the complete demilitarization of southern Syria in the provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Suweyda, and the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Syrian territory south of Damascus.

Clashes with Assad Loyalists (2025)

Clashes broke out on 4 March 2025 between the then-newly-appointed Syrian caretaker government and Assad loyalists in the city of As-Sanamayn. Clashes had died down by 6 March with the victory of the caretaker government.

Governance

Districts

The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 17 sub-districts (nawahi):

• Daraa District (8 sub-districts)
  • Daraa Subdistrict
  • Bosra Subdistrict
  • Khirbet Ghazaleh Subdistrict
  • Al-Shajara Subdistrict
  • Da'el Subdistrict
  • Muzayrib Subdistrict
  • Al-Jiza Subdistrict
  • Al-Musayfirah Subdistrict
• Izraa District (6 sub-districts)
  • Izraa Subdistrict
  • Jasim Subdistrict
  • Al-Hirak Subdistrict
  • Nawa Subdistrict
  • Ash-Shaykh Miskin Subdistrict
  • Tasil Subdistrict
• As-Sanamayn District (3 sub-districts)
  • As-Sanamayn Subdistrict
  • Al-Masmiyah Subdistrict
  • Ghabaghib Subdistrict

Cities, towns and villages

This list includes all cities, towns and villages with more than 5,000 inhabitants. The population figures are given according to the 2004 official census:

References

References

1. "نتائج تعداد السكان والمساكن لعام 2004 على مستوى المدينة / قرية".
2. (1 January 2021). "Syria Timeline: Since the Uprising Against Assad". United States Institute of Peace.
3. (March 2013). "The Free Syrian Army". The Instutite for the Study of War.
4. "Free Syrian Army". Mapping Militants.
5. (16 February 2012). "Syria live blog Thu, 16 Feb 2012, 06:32". Blogs.aljazeera.net.
6. (14 March 2012). "Syria – Mar 14, 2012 – 11:43 | Al Jazeera Blogs". Blogs.aljazeera.net.
7. (15 October 2021). "Daraa: Another Example of the Regime's Failure of Reconciliation". The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.
8. Leith Fadel. (1 April 2016). "Battle for Daraa takes a frightening turn as ISIS reaches the outskirts of the capital: map". Al-Masdar News.
9. (24 May 2016). "Yarmouk Valley: The Formation of Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Waleed?".
10. (22 January 2024). "IED explosion {{!}} Five members of regime forces killed in Daraa countryside". [[SOHR]].
11. (1 September 2021). "Truce reached in Syria's Deraa after months of fighting: Reports". Al Jazeera.
12. (7 December 2024). "Second front opens up in southern Syria, as Druze militias clash with fleeing regime forces". The Jerusalem Post.
13. (7 December 2024). "Syria rebels advance, Jordan closes border as Assad loses ground: What to know". Al-Monitor.
14. (7 December 2024). "Military escalation {{!}} Six civilians kil*led by regime shelling on Al-Sanmin in Daraa before withdrawing completely". SOHR.
15. (8 December 2024). "القوات "الإسرائيلية" تصل إلى وسط مدينة البعث في القنيطرة {{!}} سياسة {{!}} وكالة أنباء سرايا الإخبارية – حرية سقفها السماء".
16. (24 February 2025). "Israel demands complete demilitarisation of southern Syria". BBC.
17. (February 23, 2025). "Netanyahu says Israel won't allow Syrian forces 'south of Damascus'". VOA News.
18. (7 March 2025). "Deadly clashes erupt in southern Syria following government raid on pro-Assad groups".
19. (6 March 2025). "Clashes leave 15 dead in southern Syria".
20. "Archived copy".
21. https://web.archive.org/web/20170902150523/http://www.cbssyr.sy/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB12-17-2004.htm