Syrian regime forces and their allies laid siege over rebel pockets in the city of Daraa and appeared to have overthrown the southern deal reached between Russian officers and factions in the South.
A regional intelligence officer, using the Arab acronym for ISIS told Reuters on Monday, “the Russian military police and the army entered Tafas town and secured a corridor through opposition
territory to a front line with ISIS.”
Abu Shaima said, “there are fighters who want to go to (opposition-held) Idlib but this was rejected after we were besieged,” referring to a meeting on Sunday in which he said a go-between with
the Syrian army had flatly rejected their demands to leave.
The rebels say the deal also does not allow the army to move into their bastions and allows for setting up local forces from ex-rebels under the oversight of Russian military police.
“There is a lot of fear about the unknown fate that awaits us and we do not trust the Russians or (Damascus) regime,” Shaima said, adding that remaining rebels in Daraa city were still holding their front
line positions.
In a related development, regime forces consolidated their grip Monday over the border area with Jordan towards east the city of Daraa.
Accordingly, Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters, who were backed by the West and Jordan, have handed most of their heavy arms to the government since the surrender deal finalized last Friday.
Interfax news agency reported on Monday, citing Russia's Centre for Reconciliation in Syria, that in south Syria’s Daraa province, the Russian military was planning to move as many as 1,000 people northern
Idlib province.
The news agency also reported that 90 villages and towns have now joined the truce in south-western Syria.
