Russian strikes intensify as Syrian rebels advance southward

Russian airstrikes have escalated in southern Syria as rebel forces launch a renewed offensive to expand their foothold in the region.

The clashes signal a sharp uptick in violence in an area that had seen relative calm in recent months, raising concerns about the stability of the broader Middle East.

The latest strikes, carried out by Russian jets backing Syrian government forces, targeted rebel-held towns in Daraa and Quneitra provinces near the Jordanian and Israeli borders. Local activists reported heavy bombardments, with civilian areas suffering significant damage. At least 23 people, including women and children, were killed in the strikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

“The intensity of the bombardments is unprecedented in recent months,” said Rami Abdulrahman, head of the UK-based monitoring group. “The regime and its allies are determined to quash any opposition resurgence in the south.”

Moscow, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has not commented on the strikes but has previously justified its military operations in Syria as necessary to combat terrorism.

The airstrikes came as rebel forces, including factions affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), advanced southward from their strongholds in northern Syria. The rebels have reportedly captured strategic villages and roads, aiming to cut off government supply lines.

The renewed rebel activity follows months of regrouping after losing much of their territory in the north to Syrian forces and Russian-backed militias. Analysts suggest the push south is an attempt to exploit gaps in the regime’s defenses in the less heavily fortified region.

The escalation is raising alarm in neighboring countries. Jordan, which shares a border with Daraa, has bolstered its military presence to prevent a potential spillover of violence. The influx of displaced Syrians fleeing the fighting is also putting pressure on Jordan’s already strained resources.

Israel, too, is closely monitoring developments, particularly in Quneitra, which lies near the Golan Heights. Israeli officials have repeatedly warned against Iranian or Hezbollah entrenchment in the area, viewing it as a direct threat to their security.

The renewed fighting has compounded Syria’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. The United Nations estimates that over 30,000 people have been displaced in the past week alone. Aid organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian access to the affected areas.

“Families are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” said a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee.

“The international community must act urgently to protect civilians and ensure aid reaches those in need.”

The escalation underscores the fragile nature of the de-escalation agreements brokered in southern Syria in recent years.

Despite international efforts to mediate a political solution, Syria’s civil war, now in its 13th year, continues to defy resolution.

“The resurgence of violence in the south reflects the broader failures of the international community to address the root causes of the conflict,” said Lina Khatib, a Middle East expert at Chatham House.

As airstrikes rain down and rebel forces push forward, the prospect of peace in Syria remains as distant as ever, leaving millions to endure the devastation of a seemingly unending war.