Thread by @Dalatrm

#Daraa Thread
Upsum: 2 of largest & most grandstanding Eastern Daraa brig. have close family/financial ties to #UAE-based #Russia-phile businessman. Rumours mounting of them "flipping".
One previously escorted & shielded #Dail econciliation envoy to Feb 2018 Sochi Con.

Dr Khaled Al-Mahamid, rich UAE-based Daraawi businessman, been financin South brigades since 2012. Main recipients: Shabab Al-Sunnah & Usud Al-Sunnah. Since 2017, advocating #Russia view 4 'solution' in #Syria. Isn’t shy bout admitting role n negotiations re #Daraa & #Nassib

Mahamid is brother-in-law of Ahmad Al-Awdeh, leader of #Busra-based #Shabab.
Mahamid is also the direct cousin of Abu Omar Zaghloul, leader of Umm Al-Mayathen-based #Usud. Both towns been linked recently with rumours of a “flip mvmt” once regime troops are on outskirts.

In July 2017, when USA suspended aid for MOC, Mahamid stepped in through his UAE backing & own fortune to pay for the salaries of leaders, opinion makers and military commanders. Critics were wary about the level of #UAE/#Russia influence his stepping in would bring.

The meetings to ‘normalise’ relations with #Russia & find a solution to the Nassib crossing started in Oct 2017 in Irbid, Jordan. Al-Mahamid, Awdeh and Zaghloul were joined by 3 other major commanders from different #SouthernFront outfits. More meetings took place inside #Syria

#Russia rapprochement with # Shabab was evident on 1 Feb when one of their brigades escorted #Dail reconciliation member back from attending Sochi Conference. They protected him 4m arrest warrant issued vs him. Blowback was so hard that they had 2 issue "wasn't us" statement.

Last meeting between #Shabab leader Awdeh, #Usud's Zaghloul with #Russia officers was reported to be around end of April/Early May. It was attended by another cousin of Al-Mahamid. Nothing was leaked out of it.
Both Awdeh & Zaghloul deny such meeting took place.