On April 13, the 8th Brigade officially announced its disbandment and the subordination of its members to the Syrian Ministry of Defense. In a statement released by the organization, it was declared that it accepts the authority of the central government in Damascus and will hand over its weapons and military equipment to the Ministry of Defense. It was also stated that the organization’s personnel will integrate into the new Syrian army.
The disbandment of the organization took place after several days of clashes between members of the 8th Brigade and local residents in the town of Busra al-Sham (about 35 km east of Daraa), during which several people were wounded and killed. It is important to note that this development also took place against the backdrop of president al-Sharaa’s efforts to impose and consolidate his rule throughout the country, making it appear to be an opportunistic move by the government.
The clashes in Busra al-Sham began on April 10 when forces from the 8th Brigade operating in the town eliminated Bilal al-Mustafa (also known as Bilal al-Droubi), one of the local leaders opposing Ahmad al-Awda (leader of the 8th brigade) and the activities of the 8th Brigade in the Daraa region. Mustafa’s elimination occurred in the context of al-Awda’s recent efforts to fortify his position in the Daraa area, possibly in response to pressure from the new government and growing opposition from many local residents to his activities.
As a result of the assassination (which was filmed by Mustafa’s relatives), widespread protests by local residents against the activities of the 8th Brigade in the town developed, during which several civilians were injured and arrested. The escalation of the protests led members of the 8th Brigade to establish several posts and checkpoints at the entrances to the town and to detain additional civilians.
In response to the events, the Syrian Ministry of Defense sent reinforcements to the Daraa province, which began acting against members of the 8th Brigade, arresting its personnel and confiscating their weapons. As part of this, Ministry of Defense forces entered Busra al-Sham, took control of government buildings and the prison operated by the 8th Brigade, and even seized several tanks and armored personnel carriers.
This organization, which has been active in the Daraa region since 2018, is essentially a new iteration of a rebel group called “Shabab al-Sunna,” which operated as part of the Free Syrian Army until 2018 and was one of the largest organizations in the Daraa region. It operated mainly against the Assad regime, Russia, and the Shiite axis, but it is known that during the war against ISIS, its members cooperated with these entities from
time to time, as well as with Jabhat al-Nusra (led by al-Sharaa/al-Jolani).
After the Assad regime took control of southern Syria in 2018, many members of the organization chose to take part in the “reconciliation agreements,” under which they began operating within the 5th Division of the Syrian army under Russian auspices (until 2022). As part of these agreements, the organization’s name was also changed to the 8th Brigade.
After the start of the rebel offensive against the Assad regime in November 2024, members of the organization joined the southern operations room and assisted in taking over southern Syria, particularly the Daraa region. In the territories under their control, the organization’s members operated as an autonomous entity, establishing prisons, a judicial system, and security forces. Additionally, they are believed to be involved in drug trafficking in the border area with Jordan.
The leader of the 8th brigade, Ahmad al-Awda, was one of the prominent figures operating in southern Syria throughout the civil war. Al-Awda, 45 years old from the town of Busra al-Sham, holds a degree in English literature and previously served in Assad’s army. After the outbreak of the civil war, he joined the ranks of the rebels in his hometown and led the “Shabab al-Sunna” organization and after the Assad army took control of southern Syria, he became the commander of the 8th Brigade and was considered close to Russian forces in the country.
The disbandment of the 8th Brigade is an important success for the al-Sharaa regime, which has managed to neutralize another significant center of opposition to its new rule. This development contributes to strengthening the new regime and increasing its domestic and international legitimacy. It may also influence other groups in Syria (such as the Druze, for example) to align themselves with the new government.ה
