Kidnappings for the purpose of collecting ransom have increased this year in southern Syria, stirring panic and fear among civilians. These operations are taking place in the absence of any intervention by police forces and army checkpoints at the entrances to the cities and towns in Daraa.
Amer al-Horani, spokesman for the Horan Free League, a media organization that documents violations and reports current events in Daraa province, spoke to Al-Monitor about the most prominent kidnappings and handovers of kidnapped individuals that took place this year.
