Assad forces strike Daraa for 1st time since truce

By Mohamad Misto

DARAA, Syria/ANKARA, Turkey (AA) – Syrian regime forces launched airstrikes in the southwestern Daraa province on Monday, for the first time since last year’s deal between the U.S. and Russia making it a “de-escalation” zone.

The airstrikes targeted Busr al-Harir, Hrak, al-Gharaiya al-Gharbiya and al-Sowara in Daraa’s eastern countryside, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter on the ground.

Local sources said 20 civilians were injured in the attacks, including children.

In July, the U.S. and Russia reached an agreement to declare Daraa a “de-escalation zone”.

Syria has been locked in a devastating conflict since early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.

According to UN officials, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict to date.

*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara