UPDATE 2 - Clashes intensify in Syria's southern province of Daraa

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By Anadolu staff

DARAA, Syria (AA) - Clashes are taking place in the Noa district of Daraa province in southern Syria between the Bashar al-Assad regime forces and opposition groups.

Soldiers from the Syrian regime's 8th Division in Daraa have joined opposition groups in Suwayda and Quneitra to establish the "Southern Operations Room."

The alliance issued a statement emphasizing unity, pledging to secure the southern borders, and restore stability.

It urged international actors to respect Syrians' decisions for freedom and state-building while calling on regime forces to defect.

The statement also highlighted advancing toward Damascus as a key objective.

- Opposition groups seize control of multiple areas in Syria

Opposition groups have captured several locations in Syria's Daraa province, intensifying clashes with regime forces.

Local sources report that the groups launched attacks on regime checkpoints near the Noa district center in Daraa’s western countryside.

While fighting continued, regime forces responded with mortar strikes targeting Noa and artillery attacks on the nearby village of Jabiliyye.

The groups captured Busra al-Harir, Jasim, Hirak, and Tafas districts; Semlin, Sura, and Msheirfeh towns; as well as Gharieh Sharqieh, Karak, Nahte, Jizeh, and Umm Walad villages. They also took control of the Daraa Balad neighborhood in the city center.

Fierce clashes also continue as opposition forces push to secure the Syria-Jordan border. Following the fighting, the Nasib Border Crossing came under their control.

As opposition forces advanced across Daraa, aiming to encircle the provincial capital, they captured the Mika 52 Regiment, Syria's second-largest military unit under the Assad regime, using air defense radar systems.

- Province that sparked the popular uprising

Daraa was under the opposition's control between 2012 and 2018.

Iranian-backed terrorist groups and the Assad regime, which regained strength with Russia's military intervention, launched a ground offensive in the region in June 2018. The next month, regime forces declared they captured the entire province.

It was in Daraa where a crackdown by regime forces in 2011 ignited protests, leading to more than a decade of war and destruction.

- Surprise offensive

Clashes between Syrian regime forces and anti-regime groups first erupted on Nov. 27 in the western countryside of Aleppo.

By Nov. 30, the opposition forces had taken control of most of Aleppo’s city center and established dominance across Idlib province.

On Dec. 1, the Syrian National Army launched Operation Dawn of Freedom against the PKK/YPG terror group in the Tel Rifaat district of Aleppo's countryside, liberating the area from terrorist elements.

On Dec. 5, anti-regime forces captured the city of Hama and are advancing towards Homs.