BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:40 P.M.) - The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) scored a big advance in southwest Syria, today, after launching a major attack across the Daraa Governorate last night.
Led by the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army was able to finally crack the Free Syrian Army's (FSA) lines at the town of Saida, forcing the latter to retreat west towards Al-Naimah.
With the Free Syrian Army's departure from Saida, the Syrian Arab Army was able to quickly sweep through the town and impose full control over it for the first time in several years.
Following the capture of Saida, the Syrian Arab Army pressed further west towards Al-Naimah, where they were met with heavy resistance from the Free Syrian Army and Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham at the eastern axis of the town.
Intense clashes are still ongoing at the Al-Naimah front, as the Syrian Army and National Defense Forces (NDF) attempt to capture this last town before the eastern districts of Daraa city.
Meanwhile, south of Saida, the Syrian Army is attempting to expel the remaining rebel fighters from the town of Al-Taybah.
The Syrian Army is involved in a fierce battle for Al-Taybah, as the rebel forces inside the town know that conceding it to the SAA would mean giving up the strategic Nassib Crossing.
The capture of the Nassib Crossing is a top priority for the Syrian government because it strategically located along the main highway between Damascus and Amman.
At the west Daraa front, the Syrian Army is still trying to advance along the eastern axis of Tafas, but their main assault has been forestalled by the Free Syrian Army fighters defending the town.
The rebels have been unwilling to concede this town to the Syrian Army because it would open up a new front for the Syrian Army in the province.
Lastly, at the provincial capital, the Syrian Army and rebel forces continue to trade heavy artillery and missile strikes around the Daraa Al-Balad District.
The battle for the provincial capital is expected to start soon, so the Syrian military is attempting to weaken the militant defenses before making their first major push into the southern part of the city.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/full-report-from-southwest-syria-as-saa-troops-approach-jordanian-crossing-map/