Local sources confirmed that the Syrian regime forces renewed their bombardment on the city of Daraa (southern Syria), and that opposition fighters clashed with them, despite a truce and a ceasefire agreement concluded last Sunday between the people of Daraa and the regime with a guarantee and Russian sponsorship.

The sources said that the Syrian regime forces and Iranian-backed forces renewed their bombardment on the neighborhoods of Daraa al-Balad, stressing that these forces are besieging the city’s neighborhoods, and that clashes erupted between the opposition forces and the regime forces on the axis of the Bahar neighborhood (south of Daraa al-Balad).

Local sources also told Al-Jazeera that the regime forces bombed at dawn today, Monday, the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad, Al-Sad Road and Daraa camp.

The escalation comes after a round of negotiations that took place inside the besieged neighborhoods between a delegation of the Russian forces and the people of Daraa al-Balad, followed by another meeting between the delegation of the Russian forces and security leaders of the regime.

Yesterday, a truce and a ceasefire agreement was announced between the people of Daraa and the regime with a Russian guarantee, following a military campaign launched by the regime forces on Daraa al-Balad, the Al-Sad Road and Daraa camp, in an attempt to storm the area and set up military and security barriers, contrary to the agreement concluded between the regime and the opposition in 2018.

At a time when the regime forces and Russia are talking about their desire for calm in Daraa governorate, the reality on the ground is completely different, in light of their continued mobilization of military forces, the continued siege of neighborhoods in Daraa city, and the closure of main roads in a number of cities and towns in the governorate.


Pictures of the effects of the bombing today, Sunday, August 1 on Daraa pic.twitter.com/l1WCHzlASZ

— Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) August 1, 2021

Reinforcements and fears

On the other hand, a source in the southern front of the opposition Free Syrian Army accused the regime forces of preparing for a major military action in all areas of Daraa Governorate, by sending large military reinforcements.

The source told the German News Agency today, Monday, that military reinforcements arrived from Damascus, its countryside, and Quneitra, equipped with tanks, rocket launchers and artillery, and dozens of them were stationed in the town of Al-Naima on the outskirts of the eastern city of Daraa.

British condemnation

On the other hand, the British special envoy to Syria, Jonathan Hargreaves, condemned the regime's campaign on Daraa and the siege of its neighborhoods, and said in a tweet on Twitter that "10 years after the Syrian uprising, the Assad regime continues its violence against its people in Daraa."

He added that his country condemns the regime's violation of international humanitarian law, and that it will continue to work with the international community and partners to ensure that those responsible for their crimes are held accountable.

10 years since the Syrian uprising, the Assad regime continues its violence against the people of #Daraa.

The UK condemns these actions & the regime's violation of IHL.

We will continue to work with intl.

partners to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their crimes

— Jonathan Hargreaves (@UKSyriaRep) August 2, 2021