Syrian air strikes in Daraa kill 20 civilians

BEIRUT, Feb 2, (AFP): Syrian government air strikes in an opposition-held town in the southern province of Daraa on Monday killed at least 20 civilians and wounded two dozen more, a monitoring group said.
"Twenty civilians were killed and at least 25 others were wounded in four regime air strikes on several areas of the town of Jassem in Daraa province," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The strikes come as a major rebel offensive has been underway in southern Syria for months.
"As usual, the regime is striking populated areas in order to make civilian supporters of opposition fighters turn against them," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.
While rebels fighting the Syrian regime have suffered defeat after defeat across the country, they still have the upper hand in Daraa.
"Opposition fighters are making steady progress in Daraa province. The vast majority of the west of the province has completely fallen out of government control, and that is where Jassem is located," Abdel Rahman said.
Rebels in the area benefit from "the fact that supply lines from Jordan are still open," he added.
Rebel cooperation with experienced fighters from Syria's Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front, has also helped them win territory in Daraa.
Syria's war began as a peaceful movement for democratic change. It later morphed into a civil war after Damascus unleashed a brutal crackdown against dissent.