Patrols of Russian military police accompanied by regime forces toured the towns of Kafr Batna and Saqba in eastern Ghouta, with radar vehicle to eavesdrop on communications, according to Al-Modon’s correspondent, Ahmed al-Shami.
Al-Modon’s correspondent said that a Russian patrol arrived in Kafr Batna square on Sunday, before departing at night to head to Damascus. Regime forces at this time carried out a limited arrest campaign in Saqba, detaining boys of military service age and people who previously had been rejected for “settling their status” with security branches.
Al-Modon’s sources said that the Russian intervention in Ghouta occurred after an explosive device went off near a regime checkpoint in the main Kafr Batna square on Saturday night, which killed one person and wounded another from the Military Security. Regime forces returned and bolstered the checkpoint that had been struck, as well as the nearby points at the entrances to Jisrein, Saqba and Basatin al-Zar in Kafr Batna.
Over the last few days, the Political Security and Republican Guard had carried out a broad arrest campaign in the cities and towns of eastern Ghouta, focusing on Douma, Harasta and Masraba. It affected those wanted for military service and people who had previously settled their status as well as people whose status settlement had been rejected by regime security agencies.
At the start of November, the reconciliation informed a large number of people, who had worked with rebel groups while they controlled the area and others who had worked in aid and medical fields, that their settlement status’ had been rejected and were now being pursued by security.
Al-Modon’s sources said that the regime had deliberately caused the blast in Kafr Batna, in order to give the security campaign it launched in eastern Ghouta legitimacy and to silence the voices of those who dared to call for an end to the security campaign.
A statement issued by a group called the “Qasioun Companies” on Telegram claimed the operation “in defense of the honor of the women of Ghouta,” was made by Syrian intelligence, according to the sources.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
