BEIRUT, May 18 /Itar-Tass/ - The Syrian government forces launched an offensive against rebels in the west of the southern Deraa province and returned control of the strategic al-Jabia heights, Syria’s al-Watan news service reported on Sunday.

The Syrian army attacked the rebels’ positions in the towns of Nawa, Jassem and Inkhil and inflicted heavy losses on the militants. The Syrian army’s operation is supported by aviation. The government troops have destroyed the field commanders of eight armed groupings and dozens of mercenaries, al-Watan reported.

The Syrian government troops are battling rebels to regain control of the pass that links the southern Deraa and al-Quneitra provinces and is an area of the Syrian army’s first defense line near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.