In the most intensive military campaign yet unleashed two weeks ago in southern Syria, regime forces and their ally Russia launched in 22 hours 2,300 air and ground strikes on opposition-held areas of Daraa province.
A spokesperson of opposition forces said the Jordanian mediation succeeded Thursday to bring back opposition negotiators to the same table of Russian officers to discuss a final agreement concerning southern Syria.
The two sides were expected to hold talks on Thursday night in the city of Basra al-Sham, where four rounds of talks were held since last Saturday, without reaching any deal.
The return of the opposition representatives to the negotiation table came following the Syrian regime’s intense bombing campaign on Thursday.
A day earlier, negotiations between representatives of Syrian opposition factions and Russian officers failed to end the offensive in Daraa, which has killed dozens and forced tens of thousands from their homes.
“About 2,300 air and ground strikes targeted Daraa in 22 hours of insane shelling as regime forces expand their scope of control to more than 60 percent of the province,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Meanwhile, sources in Tel Aviv said Israel was holding extensive talks with Damascus, having Russia as an intermediary, to establish weapons-free safe zones in southern Syria to host residents escaping from Daraa.
The sources said the negotiations were held in the presence of representatives from the UN Disengagement and Observer Force (UNDOF).
Meanwhile, Russia on Thursday blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a statement on the situation in southwestern Syria, diplomats said after an urgent meeting requested by Sweden and Kuwait.
