In June 2018, the Syrian regime, backed by Russia and Iran, launched a military offensive that aimed at recapturing southern Syria. By August 2018, rebels in Daraa Governorate were pushed to surrender under a patchwork strategy, including the regime’s use of armed force and Russian-led negotiations between state representatives and opposition figures. Although parallel yet disjointed processes have quelled an almost eight-year insurrection, this approach has resulted in inconsistent regime authority across the region and facilitated the emergence of new power brokers who exercised significant influence in parts of the south.
This research paper investigates the complex landscape of post-war Daraa Governorate in southern Syria, where territorial fragmentation, geopolitical manoeuvres, resurgence of violence, and community resilience shape its current state. This paper examines the main drivers of violence in post-war Daraa Governorate including regime small-scale military offensives, vigilante operations, local factional rivalries, tribal conflicts, and widespread criminal activities, which collectively contribute to heightened insecurity and volatility.
In the post-war situation, the local population continues to endure deteriorating service provision. This research paper highlights the persistent challenges in the delivery of public goods, exacerbated by economic constraints and a depleted workforce. It explores the strategies devised by the local population to provide essential services, including appealing to both traditional and new power brokers and launching small-scale grassroot initiatives. It illustrates how economic deterioration and dire security conditions continue to drive migration trends, emphasizing the crucial role of remittances and cross-border networks in sustaining livelihoods.