Bilal al-Droubi
Bilal al-Droubi | |
|---|---|
| Native name | بلال الدروبي |
| Birth name | Bilal al-Masatafa al-Miqdad |
| Nickname(s) | Abu Yazan |
| Born | Bosra, Ba'athist Syria |
| Died | 12 April 2025 Daraa, Syria |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch |
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| Unit | Youth of Sunna Forces (2014–2018)8th Brigade (2018–2025) |
| Conflicts | |
Bilal al-Masatafa al-Miqdad (Arabic: بلال المصاطفة المقداد; died 12 April 2025),[1] also nicknamed Bilal al-Droubi (Arabic: بلال الدروبي) and Abu Yazan (Arabic: أبو يزن),[2] was a Syrian rebel commander who served as a member of the Youth of Sunna Forces, appointed head of border security by the Syrian Ministry of Defense in 2025 and whose killing by members of the Eighth Brigade led to the dissolution of that faction in April 2025.
Biography
[edit]Al-Droubi was born in Bosra al-Sham, Syria,[3] into the large al-Mekdad clan, who are native to the city.[4]
On 16 August 2016, the brother and father of Youth of Sunna Forces member Mohammed Tohme (an ally of al-Droubi) were attacked in their home by members of the faction, with his father beaten and his brother shot, leaving his brother in "critical condition." Tohme's supporters forcibly took control of the group's headquarters in Bosra. Tohme briefly took control of the faction, with al-Droubi as his deputy, supported by the group's leadership council.[5] His leadership position did not last, however, as Ahmad al-Awda regained control of the group that same month with the support of the Yarmouk Army.[6]
In the Russian-brokered settlement agreements in July 2018 after the Assad regime recaptured Daraa governorate, al-Awda allowed al-Droubi to form a military group under the Eighth Brigade's authority in Bosra. After the Assad regime fell, al-Droubi intended to form a group separate from the Eighth Brigade, but al-Awda did not allow him to do so, which reignited tensions between the two.[6]
Al-Droubi became affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense in 2025[3] and was appointed by the Syrian government as head of border security.[7] He attempted to recruit members of the Eighth Brigade into the ministry of defense.[8] His decisions angered Eighth Brigade leadership, viewing it as an attempt to "split ranks" and "undermine stability" in Bosra,[9] as well as a "blatant encroachment" on the Eighth Brigade's influence in the city.[10]
On 10 April 2025, while al-Droubi was driving with his wife and children,[3] men affiliated with the Eighth Brigade confronted him on drug trafficking charges (which local sources said were false),[9] detaining him and shooting him multiple times, seriously wounding him. Al-Droubi was hospitalized at Daraa National Hospital, and would die two days later on Saturday morning, two days after his health further deteriorated.[3] In the wake of his death, pressure from the local public and Syrian authorities would lead to the dissolution of the Eighth Brigade a few days later in early April.[11]
His funeral was held on 14 April at the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque Square in Bosra, which was attended by Daraa governor Anwar al-Zoubi along with other notables and local residents.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "اللواء الثامن يقرر حل نفسه سلميًا.. ودعوات لتسليم السلاح". Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 13 April 2025. Archived from the original on 13 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Seth J. Frantzman (15 April 2025). "The rise and fall of a Syrian warlord: Rebel commander surrenders to Damascus − analysis". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 16 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Syria faction leader killed by Eighth Brigade in Daraa security forces clash". The New Arab. 12 April 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Khaled Yacoub Oweis (14 April 2025). "Powerful southern Syrian militia disbands under pressure from government". The National. Archived from the original on 15 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ ""Military coup" in rebel-held Syria town". NOW News. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Daraa: Agreement ends tension in Busra al-Sham". Enab Baladi. 12 April 2025. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Syrian Border Security Chief Dies After Attack in Tense Southern Province". 963 Media. 14 April 2025. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Tensions Surge in Eastern Daraa as Security Forces Confront Eighth Brigade". Levant24. 12 April 2025. Archived from the original on 15 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ a b "تفاصيل التوتر الأمني في بصرى الشام.. ما علاقة أحمد العودة بالتصعيد؟". Syria TV (in Arabic). 11 April 2025. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "درعا: اللواء الثامن بين تسليم السلاح وفقدان السيطرة". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). 13 April 2025. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Eighth Brigade in Daraa dissolves itself". Enab Baladi. 13 April 2025. Archived from the original on 13 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ Mohammed, Ihsan (14 April 2025). "تشييع جنازة القيادي بلال الدروبي بحضور رسمي وشعبي واسع بمدينة بصرى الشام بريف درعا". North Press Agency (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.