Ahmad al-Masalmeh, an opposition activist in Daraa, says the offensive is led by the Southern Front, a coalition of several dozen moderate rebel groups.
Maj. Issam el Rayyes, a front man for the Southern Front, says the operation is called "Southern Storm" and that it aims "to liberate the city of Daraa." He says there are festivities on all fronts with government troops.
Syrian State TV says Thursday's shelling of Daraa killed six people and maimed 13. It says electricity was cut in the city after a main station was hit, north of Daraa.
Daraa is the city where the uprising against
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
The Scourge of Hama...
began in March 2011.