[EN.ZAMANALWSL.NET] Southern Front rebels on Wednesday seized control of al-Sarou checkpoint, one of regime's powerful strongholds in Daraa, the border city with Jordan, activists said.Early Thursday, rebels in video statement said the International Road links between Daraa province and Damascus is a military zone, warning civilians from getting close.
Activists said rebels have seized parts of the road and well some neighborhoods in the city, storming the headquarters of air and military intelligence, such a progress came hours after the beginning of new offensive called it the 'South Storm' to eliminate the presence of Syrian regime forces and allied militias in Daraa.
In retaliation, Syrian air force killed 6 civilians, including a woman, in raid on the Old City of Daraa.
A rebel source said the battle is backed by 40 jacket wallahs who are ready to hit regime military bases.
Rebels in Syrian south have inflicted significant defeats on Bashir al-Assad in the last three months, notably by capturing the Nasib border crossing with Jordan on April 1.
A motivational video posted online by the operations room of 'South Storm', shows rebels' practices, weapons and readiness for the battle.
Southern region, including Daraa, is of strategic importance due to its proximity to Damascus and neighboring states Israel and Jordan. It is also the last significant foothold of mainstream rebels, who have mostly been crushed elsewhere in Syria by government forces or jihadist groups, according to AP.