On Monday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 5th Armored Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) – have captured 5 villages in northeast Dara’a after fierce clashes with the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” and Liwaa Al-Yarmouk.

The 5th Division and their allies surprised Jabhat Al-Nusra with a powerful assault at 8 A.M. on Monday that resulted in the capture of East Maseekat, West Maseekat, Rassum Al-Khawaabi, Ishnaan, and Al-Dalasat in northeast Dara’a.

Also in northeast Dara’a, Al-‘Alam journalist, Hussein Murtada, has reported that the SAA has encircled the villages of Busra Al-Hareer and Milayhat Al-‘Atrash.

According to preliminary reports from Dara’a, the 5th Division and their allies killed just over 30 militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra and Liwaa Al-Yarmouk – number has yet to be confirmed.

As of recently, the border of Dara’a and As-Sweida has erupted in violence, as the SAA and rebel forces continue this tug-of-war battle for control of southern Syria.

The recent surge of activity from the SAA is likely due to the increased rebel presence outside of the town of Al-Lijat; this had forced the SAA to take the offensive in order to protect the Khalkhalah Airbase in northwest As-Sweida.

In southern Dara’a, the militants from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Jabhat Al-Nusra are preparing for a offensive at the provincial capital; however, no date has been set for this alleged offensive.