Battle for southern Syria sees largest Syrian military buildup of the war

The battle for southern Syria is expected to start in the coming days and the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is still busy sending large convoys of soldiers to the provinces of Al-Quneitra and Dara’a.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Army’s mass mobilization of troops in southern Syria is the largest military build-up of this war.

The source added that the total number of soldiers and paramilitary personnel participating in this offensive is expected to exceed the previous East Ghouta operation by at least 2,000 soldiers.

With all of Damascus and most of Homs (Tanf controlled by US-backed forces) under the government’s control, the Syrian Army can concentrate a large number of soldiers to these fronts that were previously deployed to the East Ghouta and Al-Rastan Plain.

Furthermore, the Syrian Army will need a significant number of soldiers to participate in the battle for southern Syria because some of the largest Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions are currently present in the Dara’a and Al-Quneitra governorates.

The Syrian Army will have their hands full when it comes to the battle for Dara’a, as most of the FSA brigades in this province are comprised of local fighters.

While attempts to reconcile with these rebel fighters have been made, it appears that most of the FSA factions prefer to fight rather than accept any deal from the government.