Syrian regime forces backed by Russian warplanes launched on Tuesday a battle to restore control over the southern city of Daraa, known as the “Cradle of the Revolution” because of its uprising against Bashar Assad’s regime in early 2011.
AFP quoted state media on Tuesday as saying that Syria’s army launched an assault on Daraa after a week of deadly bombardment on the nearby countryside caused mass displacement.
“Syria’s army is carrying out targeted air strikes against terrorist positions and fortifications in Daraa,” state television reported.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said air strikes hit the city in conjunction with heavy clashes in the southeast.
The Observatory added that warplanes pounded the cities and towns of Nawa, Abtaa, Al-Sorah and Adwan in the northwestern countryside of Daraa, raising to at least 8, the number of people who have been killed since Tuesday dawn.
It said the warplane attacks were the first on the area since the US, Russia and Jordan reached a “de-escalation” agreement one year ago.
As military operations escalated against Daraa, more civilians fled the area towards the Jordanian border. Amman earlier said it could not absorb a new wave of refugees across its border.
The military developments came as the Hmeimim Russian Air Base announced on Tuesday “the end” of the de-escalation agreement between Washington, Moscow and Amman.
The announcement came on the eve of US national security adviser John Bolton’s planned visit to Russia, where he would hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the framework of efforts to prepare for a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin next month.
It also came on the eve of Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s visit to Moscow to discuss with US and Russian officials the situation on the southern front in Syria.
AFP quoted state media on Tuesday as saying that Syria’s army launched an assault on Daraa after a week of deadly bombardment on the nearby countryside caused mass displacement.
“Syria’s army is carrying out targeted air strikes against terrorist positions and fortifications in Daraa,” state television reported.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said air strikes hit the city in conjunction with heavy clashes in the southeast.
The Observatory added that warplanes pounded the cities and towns of Nawa, Abtaa, Al-Sorah and Adwan in the northwestern countryside of Daraa, raising to at least 8, the number of people who have been killed since Tuesday dawn.
It said the warplane attacks were the first on the area since the US, Russia and Jordan reached a “de-escalation” agreement one year ago.
As military operations escalated against Daraa, more civilians fled the area towards the Jordanian border. Amman earlier said it could not absorb a new wave of refugees across its border.
The military developments came as the Hmeimim Russian Air Base announced on Tuesday “the end” of the de-escalation agreement between Washington, Moscow and Amman.
The announcement came on the eve of US national security adviser John Bolton’s planned visit to Russia, where he would hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the framework of efforts to prepare for a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin next month.
It also came on the eve of Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s visit to Moscow to discuss with US and Russian officials the situation on the southern front in Syria.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
