Syria is redeploying two key commanders of its internal security forces in Damascus and the Druze area of Sweida, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria’s official news agency, reported Wednesday.
The Interior Ministry appointed Brig.-Gen. Hussam Mamoun al-Tahhan to head of internal security in Sweida, and then transferred his predecessor, Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Haitham al-Dalati, to a position in the Damascus countryside, essentially switching their current roles, the report said.
This move comes in the wake of the clashes in Sweida in July, when Dalati was criticized for his response to the fighting between the Druze and Bedouin.
The reassignment could lead to reduced tensions. It is not yet clear whether Tahhan will have a different approach or if the local population will prefer him.
“Previously, on May 25, Tahhan had been assigned to the Damascus countryside, while Dalati, former Quneitra governor, was tasked with Sweida – before today’s reassignment,” SANA reported.
Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri, who has essentially been governing Sweida since the July clashes, had appointed Shakib Ajwad Nasr as the head of security, the Syrian Observer reported in early August. Nasr had previously served the Assad regime in Tartus, the report said.
A 'shrewd strategist' who has critiqued alleged Israeli 'foreign intervention'
Dalati is considered to be a “shrewd strategist,” according to some reports in Syria. Supporters of the Druze, however, regard him as being responsible for the killings and clashes in July.
Tahhan has an interesting past. He was also involved in the tensions with Druze in Jaramana in March and had spoken to media outlets about the deployment of security forces to the area. He also criticized what he said was Israeli “foreign intervention” in April.
The reshuffle of the security portfolios is being received positively in some sectors in Syria. It represents “positive messages from the state, affirming its desire to improve the situation,” a source told London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.
There is “a need to implement additional measures to overcome current challenges, including the release of kidnapped individuals, the restoration of damaged homes, and the return of residents to their homes with guarantees of their protection to prevent the recurrence of unfortunate events,” the source said.
Syria’s new government is concerned that Hijri is seeking independence or “secession” from Syria. He will need to address this accusation.
In addition, the road from Damascus to Sweida has recently been reopened, and humanitarian aid is now entering the Druze area. Since July, the area has largely been cut off from the rest of Syria. Israel has vowed to back the Druze.
Meanwhile, Syria has welcomed a new Amnesty International report on the July clashes. The Interior Ministry praised the report ,“stressing its commitment to protecting all Syrians,” SANA reported. The ministry views the report positively, ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told SANA.
Syrian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met Jordanian Ambassador to Syria Sufyan Suleiman al-Qudah on Tuesday.
Regional media outlets are closely monitoring what happens in Syria. If Sweida moves toward independence or tries to leave Syria, many countries will view this as destabilizing the region.