Kidnappings for the purpose of collecting ransom have increased this year in southern Syria, stirring panic and fear among civilians. These operations are taking place in the absence of any intervention by police forces and army checkpoints at the entrances to the cities and towns in Daraa.

Amer al-Horani, spokesman for the Horan Free League, a media organization that documents violations and reports current events in Daraa province, spoke to Al-Monitor about the most prominent kidnappings and handovers of kidnapped individuals that took place this year.

“We documented three kidnappings in January. Some of those who were kidnapped were freed after a hefty ransom was paid. On Feb. 21, Fawaz Qetaifan, 8, was returned to his family after negotiations that lasted about three months. He was kidnapped by an unidentified gang who released him after the parents paid a ransom of about 500 million Syrian pounds," or about $131,000 at the black market rate, Horani said.

He noted that this incident garnered an unprecedented media and government buzz, after video footage showing the child being tortured went viral in early February. Activists launched several social media campaigns under the title “Save the child Muhammad Fawaz Qetaifan.”