Syrian troops advance in south and center, drive back rebels
BEIRUT — Syrian forces have retaken a key southern military base after heavy fighting with rebels and an al Qaeda affiliate, and seized mountain villages after driving out Islamic State fighters, the government and opposition activists said Tuesday.
Daraa was the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar Assad, which began with mostly peaceful protests but escalated into a civil war after a harsh crackdown on dissent.
Government troops were bolstered by Iranian officers, pro-government militiamen and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, as well as 80 air strikes from the government side, possibly including some from Russian aircraft, he added.