Russian-backed regime forces have for weeks been preparing an offensive to retake Syria’s south, a strategic zone that borders both Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The regime has sent military reinforcements to the area, dropped flyers demanding rebels surrender, and ramped up air strikes in recent days.
Late Saturday,
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
Leveler of Latakia...
’s Russian allies began bombing the rebel-held south for the first time since summer 2017, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Russian raids continued into Sunday.
"Five civilians including two women were killed on Sunday in Russian strikes on the towns of al-Herak, al-Sura, and Alma," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.
The raids on al-Herak hit near a hospital, damaging it and forcing medical staff to shut it down at least temporarily, he said. The three rebel-held towns are located in Daraa province, known widely as the cradle of Syria’s seven-year uprising.
Daraa and the adjacent province of Quneitra are mostly held by opposition forces, while the government controls most of the province of Sweida to the east.