Syria: Government forces expand control in Daraa and Quneitra provinces /update 4

Event

Syrian government forces have expanded their area of control in Daraa and Quneitra provinces in recent days as the military's southwestern offensive continues. Pro-government forces have reportedly retaken control of 90 percent of Daraa province as of Monday, July 16, after reasserting control over the city of Al-Hara, among other nearby towns, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Additionally, in Quneitra province, pro-government forces took control of the village of Mashara, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, after heavy shelling and a series of airstrikes.

The advance comes after a series of rebel-held settlements in southwestern Syria recently accepted Russian-brokered ceasefire and surrender deals (including the surrender of medium and heavy weapons), including the city of Daraa and towns in areas east of Daraa city and near the Jordanian border. The deals were made in exchange for the guaranteed safe return of people previously displaced from the area as well as the evacuation of those who resisted the deal to opposition-controlled areas in Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

Despite the wave of ceasefire and surrender agreements, further fighting is expected between pro-government forces and opposition rebel fighters in rebel-controlled areas in southwestern Syria in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Before the Syrian government offensive in southwestern Syria, which began in June, the region had been relatively calm for the past year because of a "de-escalation" agreement brokered by the US, Jordan, and Russia. Syria remains enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011.

Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.