I have mentioned on multiple occasions the V Corps-affiliated Dir' al-Watan, led by al-Hajj Muhammad Ja'afar, whom I have interviewed twice. Below is an interview with a member of Dir' al-Watan, whose name shall remain anonymous. The interview was arranged by al-Hajj Muhammad Ja'afar.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your life?
A: I was born in 1982 and I have five sisters. I am married and have three daughters and one boy. I am from the village of Zeita of al-Qusayr from the province of Homs. I am a Sunni Muslim. From the beginning of the bloody events against our beloved homeland, we worked with groups organized by al-Hajj Muhammad Ja'afar and our work was to oversee the borders with Lebanon as we live in these areas. And when Dir' al-Watan under the leadership of al-Hajj Muhammad Ja'afar was formed, we trained and prepared for military works.
Q: In which areas have you fought within the ranks of Dir' al-Watan?
A: We began with fighting in the city of Palmyra in the desert towards Deir az-Zor.
Q: Who is responsible for training the fighters from Dir' al-Watan?
A: There are training camps and there are Syrian officers for all combat skills.
Q: From which areas are most of the fighters of Dir' al-Watan?
A: Most of the fighters of Dir' al-Watan are of Syrian nationality and some Lebanese members from those who dwell in the Syrian regions.
Q: Currently in which areas does Dir' al-Watan fight?
A: Still in areas of Deir az-Zor along the bank of the Euphrates.
Q: Some people say there is competition between the V Corps and formations affiliated with the Iranian side. What is your opinion on this talk?
A: All who work in fighting against the armed terrorist groups do so by direction from the Syrian command led by the President Dr. Bashar al-Assad (may God protect him).
Q: What is the next battle if God wills?
A: If God wills, soon Syria will be entirely under the control of the Syrian army.
Q: Why has the Idlib battle not begun until now?
A: The Syrian government is mindful of every drop of blood that is spilled. It is trying through diplomatic efforts to keep the civilians away from harm and it is entirely ready for any military operation in Syria and completely ready to confront the Israeli enemy and whoso is affiliated with it.
Q: What is the monthly salary for the fighter in Dir' al-Watan? Is service in Dir' al-Watan tantamount to compulsory service?
A: The monthly salary is around 100,000 Syrian pounds and we consider service as an obligatory matter like the obligation of prayer in order to defend our beloved homeland and our blood is in sacrifice for the President Dr. Bashar al-Assad (may God protect him).