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Daraa: clashes still underway near Sheikh Miskeen, rebels thwart attack
[EN.ZAMANALWSL.NET] Syrian activists reported fierce festivities on Saturday between rebels and regime troops backed by their Hezbollah militia in the southern town of Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa province.Bashir al-Assad's forces backed by fighters from Hezbollah have launched major offensive two weeks ago, seeking to control Sheikh Miskeen and powerful air base, Brigade 82. Rebels have thwarted Saturday's attack on the town which had been in their control since last year, field sources said. Three army soldiers were taken captive by rebels, they added. Russia warplanes have also staged air strikes on Sheikh Miskeen and neighboring villages. In its turn, Regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the eastern countryside of Daraa targeting Dael, Busra la-Sham and al-Llajat region at the Jordanian border. Daraa is often dubbed the "cradle" of the uprising against al-Assad that began with protests in March 2011. In northern Idlib province, Russian air strikes killed at least 51 people in rebel-held town of Maarat al-Nouman when it struck a court house and an adjacent prison, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activists reported. The air strikes have also maimed at least 100, many of whom were at death's door, medics said. Russia has been staging air strikes in Syria in support of al-Assad since September. The building was struck with four missiles and the number of dead could increase due to the large number of maimed, the Observatory said. Posted by: Fred 2016-01-10 |
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