The assassination of an officer with Akid rank (Colonel) from the 112th Brigade on February 27 has sparked much speculation. The officer, Ramdan Dawa, commander of the 271st Battalion in the 112th Brigade, was killed by a side bomb planted on the side of the road he was traveling on.
Brigade 112 is one of two brigades responsible for the ongoing security in the Golan Heights sector near the border with Israel (the other brigade is Brigade 90). According to Syrian reports, the IED (disguised in the shape of a rock – a familiar form and method of camouflage that many use throughout the Middle East) was placed by locals who according to Syrian reports were directed and activated by Israel to eliminate Dawa who collaborated with Hezbollah.
Dawa’s assassination happened a few days after warning leaflets were distributed in the al-Azbah area (Division 112 responsibility section) against a local Golan file activist and against cooperation with Hezbollah. The Syrian forces operating near the border with Israel are in close contact with Hezbollah’s southern command unit that oversees Hezbollah’s activities in southern Syria. The Southern Command trains the Syrian forces professionally in various military fields. At the same time, the Southern Command uses the military infrastructure, Syrian soldiers, and officers for the needs of Hezbollah’s activities in southern Syria.
It should be noted that the killing of Syrian officers and soldiers in the Golan Heights is not an unusual event. Almost every week there are similar incidents of attacks on military forces by locals who oppose the regime on ideological grounds, local conflict, and so. Also, ISIS cells are still operating in the area, whose main hobby is to attack military personnel.
