Festering grievances and the return to arms in southern Syria

Ever since the Syrian state declared its re-establishment of control over southern Syria in July 2018, it has been mired in difficulties in achieving unlimited and unrestricted access to the region’s territories, in restoring a monopoly over the legitimate use of violence and in providing the local population with functioning essential services. Unlike other ‘reconciled’ areas in Syria, Daraa governorate is a showcase for the re-emergence of civilian resistance and the proliferation of rampant political violence which undermines the Syrian regime’s endeavours to achieve stability and makes its hopes of regaining absolute control increasingly elusive. Based on qualitative and quantitative data collected between July 2018 and March 2020, this research investigates the causes of the escalation in unrest and violence which is claiming lives on all sides in Daraa.