Syria Army Retakes 2 Areas in Dara'a

TEHRAN (Defapress) – The villages of al-Bustan and al-Shumariya were freed from terrorists during Syrian forces' first advance in the area, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday, AFP reported.

The UK-based observatory also noted an "ongoing escalation of shelling and clashes in eastern and northeastern parts of Dara'a province."

"Intense Russian air strikes are hitting towns in Dara'a's eastern countryside for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in southern Syria last year," claimed Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

Syrian forces also heavily shelled militant-held areas in the towns of Busr al-Harir and al-Hrak in the region and carried out several airstrikes on the militants.

Syria's official news agency, SANA, confirmed the gains, noting the government forces targeted militant-held areas with "precise strikes."

Last Month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that only Syrian government forces should maintain presence on the Arab country’s southern par