Syrian army turns its attention to the south in major offensive

[webfact]

Syrian army turns its attention to the south in major offensive
By Robert Hackwill

DAMASCUS: -- Backed by Russian air support the Syrian army has launched its first offensive in the south of the country since September, when Russia entered the war to support President Bashar al-Assad.

It is focusing on one of the cradles of the Syrian uprising, Deraa, and the nearby mainly rebel-held Sheikh Miskeen.

The army says it will recapture the latter, a key town in Damascus’s southern defensive line. The south is the heartland of the original, mainstream anti-Assad opposition, but it has lost territory to both ISIL and the al-Qaeda al-Nusra front.

Fighting for Sheikh Miskeen, on a vital supply route and lost to rebel forces earlier this year, is reportedly fierce. Two loud explosions attributed to car bombs rocked the centre on Wednesday as automatic fire was exchanged in the streets.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-12-31

[khwaibah]

Getting real close to the big I. This may get interesting.

[connda]

Getting real close to the big I. This may get interesting.

The 'big I" that treats wounded ISIS (ISIL, Daesh) fighters? I agree. As interesting as Turkey blowing a SU-24 bomber out of the sky.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed.

[bangkapi]

Syria needs to reclaim the oil rich Golan Heights.

I hope that Russia and China can help them do it.