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Interesting case study in loyalist militias in Hama province:
This group of thugs is pledging cooperation in return for amnesty for their crimes.
They're from the quaint but strategic Alawite town of Salhab at the entrance to Ghab plain.
The town's youth fight in all major pro-regime formations, and its thugs control access and check points along the roads in the area. Meet the town's local shabiha celebrity: Ali Shelly, head of one of Hama'snotorious crime rings, as well as...
... unit commander in Suheil Hassan's "Tiger Forces" - the regime's remaining "elite" fighting formation.
After the uprising, Shelly had begun carving out increasing influence around town of Salhab, running hundreds of men across NW Hama. The "Shelly gang" became notorious across Hama for kidnapping, smuggling, theft and general brigandage. He came into Hassan's orbit during the 2013 push to reopen the Hama - Aleppo connection & was rewarded with check points along the road.
Here is where it gets interestng: January this year, the state finally moves and has Shelly arrested for his crimes - widespread relief.
Held in Hama for ten days before being released on orders of the provincial Air Force Intel network loyal to Suheil Hassan, led by ...
... Talal Dakkak, the most powerful shabiha in Hama city $ shadow ruler in Hassan's absence. This fella runs one of Syria's biggest kidnapping rings. Hezbollah once arrested his convoy for abducting half a village. Military Intel and SAA command have tried to reign in Hassan's warlords with little success. Situation is tense in Hama Governorate and has reached a point where the state is being swallowed whole by its clients. Loyalist commanders openly defy Damascus w/o consequence:
When fighting raged at Harbinfsah this February, local warlord Ahmed Ismail (dept. of Salah a-Assi) from Seghata suffered heavy losses. Requested reinforcements from Fadi Qaribish, commander in nearby Baarin - refused. SAA and Ahmed's men subsequently attacked Baarin and were FOUGHT OFF! Fadi then established his own check points. These incidents have become more regular occurrence, esp in Hama. Ahmed Ismail himself had previously lynched Military Intel officer Rifaat Hassan on the streets of Masyaf for investigating smuggling.
There's dozens more of these guys in every village and town, and both regime and economy rely on their smuggling and manpower. For example, Ahmed Darwish is an MP and chief of a loyalist tribal militia from Abu Dali who trades oil w/ ISIS.
They're from all sects: The Spahis from Qamhana - Sunni - control many N Hama check points, clashed w/ SAA inside city last year. There is no loyalist force left strong enough to reign these people in. We're moving towards "War of the Camps" phase of this conflict.
Already there have been plenty of rumors that assassination attempts against AF Intel figures & Suheil Hassan planned by Military Intel. Important to note that this is a problem of regime's own making - it's how Suheil Hassan was so successful at quelling revolt in Hama.