Militants hand over heavy weapons in southwestern Syria: Report
Terrorists groups in Syria’s southwestern town of Dara’a have began handing in the weapons to government forces.
According to Hezbollah military media unit on Sunday, militants in Bosra al-Sham have agreed to settle with the government and have begun to hand over their heavy weapons in preparation for the army’s entry.
Earlier in the day, Foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants re-launched peace talks with the Russian military in a bid to reach a ceasefire in southwestern Syria as government troops and allied fighters from popular defense groups are making territorial gains there.
Meanwhile, the Syrian army has expanded its military operation in the south and made significant gains against militants with the liberation of dozens of towns and villages in Dara’a.
Syrian forces also carried out attacks on militant supply lines in the eastern and southeastern sectors of Dara’a city.
A series of concentrated artillery strikes against militant routes and supply lines in al-Jumrok al-Qadim in the southeastern part of Dara’a city and in the direction of al-Naima town east of the city were successfully carried my government forces.
During the attacks a number of terrorist hideouts were destroyed and heavy losses were inflicted on their ranks.
Syria’s southwest is strategically sensitive because of its proximity to the frontiers with both Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The recapture of Dara’a is highly important because it borders the occupied Golan Heights which Israel has used to treat wounded militants for years.
Also on Tuesday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that civilians fleeing the war in Syria will not be allowed entry in to Israel.
“Regarding southern Syria, we will continue to defend our borders,” he said.
“We will extend humanitarian assistance to the extent of our abilities. We will not allow entry into our territory,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Israel beefed up its military presence in the occupied Golan Heights by deploying additional tanks and cannons in the vicinity of the Syrian border, cautioning Damascus to keep its forces away from the frontier as Syrian troops continue sweeping militant-held areas over the border.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Israeli military said that it had deployed artillery and armored reinforcements to the area, saying that the move was the result of a situation assessment “in light of developments on the Syrian Golan Heights.”
The statement also claimed that the Israeli military would adhere to its “non-involvement principle” regarding the Arab country. Tel Aviv, the statement added, would also continue to respond “decisively” to any infringement upon the Israeli regime and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Syria’s southwest is strategically sensitive because of its proximity to the frontiers with both Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.
The recapture of Dara’a is highly important because it borders the occupied Golan Heights which Israel has used to treat wounded militants for years.
