Syrian forces launch offensive in country's rebel-held southwest region

Damascus, June 22: Months after reclaiming Eastern Ghouta province, the Syrian government forces have launched massive offensive upon rebel-held towns of al-Harak and Busra al-Harir of the southwest region of the country.

 

Notably, the Syrian government forces with Russia and Iran-backed allies on Thursday launched an offensive in rebel-held towns of al-Harak and Busra al-Harir of the southwest region, which borders Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights with artillery strikes and airstrikes. In two days, over 12,500 civilians had fled from the town of Busra al-Hariri and nearby areas of Daraa province of the southwest region of Syria.

Meanwhile, the United States warned Russia and Syria that it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to government violations of a de-escalation deal it brokered with Russia last year to contain the conflict in the southwest.

The US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert in a statement said, “Washington was deeply troubled by reports of increasing Syrian regime operations in the area.” "Syrian regime military and militia units, according to our reports, have violated the southwest de-escalation zone and initiated air strikes, artillery, and rocket attacks," she added.

On the other side, The United Nations humanitarian spokesman, Jens Laerke said, “UN concerned about reports of an escalation of violence in Daraa governorate.” “At least 2,500 people had been displaced in Deraa province in recent days,” the UN official added.

In April this year, the Syrian government claimed Eastern Ghouta province which was held by Islamist-dominated fighters after a relentless six-week airstrike with rockets, barrel bombs. During the six-week of an offensive, at least 1,644 civilians, including 344 children, have been killed while hundreds of others were injured. So far, over 340,000 people have been killed since the civil war erupted in 2011.