At dawn on Wednesday, the commander of the Mountain Brigade, Merhej al-Germani, was killed by a single bullet at close range inside his home.
The shooting took place from one of the windows of Germani’s house while he was sleeping.
The network confirmed that a group infiltrated Germani’s house and shot him through a window.
Civilian Injured by Gunfire from Pro-Assad Forces During Suweida Demonstration
Germani was known for his opposition to the Syrian regime and played a clear role in the popular movement in the governorate of Suweida.
“He has always been in danger and, despite his rumoured enthusiasm, has played a role in aspects of restraint and peace.”
According to a source, Germani was tasked in the past two days with investigating a young man who was found to be behind defamation and abuse targeting the people of Suweida on social media. After the arrest of the young man, he was handed over to the guesthouse of Sheikh Hamoud al-Hinnawi, who refused to transfer him to the regime’s security branches and asked Germani to conduct an investigation to clarify the details of the case.
The network pointed out that Germani was killed before completing the investigation, stressing that he had previously received death threats because his role “formed a kind of balance in Suweida.”
Mountain Brigade in Suweida
The faction is considered one of the local groups strongly supporting the popular movement in the city of Suweida. Merhej Germani frequently appeared in Karama Square during demonstrations, and the faction was involved in protecting demonstrators.
On June 13th, the Mountain Brigade detained a group of regime officers and members in response to the arrest of the young woman Rita al-Aqbani in Damascus, aiming to pressure the regime to release her, which eventually happened.
Notably, the faction participated in combing campaigns carried out by local groups in the Suweida desert over the past years and played a role in eliminating some kidnapping gangs and drug traffickers in the governorate.
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.
