Infighting, assassinations as deadline nears UPDATED

UPDATE
US threatens decisive ‘response’ if Syrian Army launches southern Syria offensive
"These public figures are being targeted for working with the Damascus government to reach a peaceful solution in the southern governorates of Daraa and al-Quneitra"

On Wednesday, the day before Ramadan ended, the Syrian army made a final offer to militants in the south to negotiate a peace deal, and gave them 48 hours to decide. I don't know the time on Wednesday when the ultimatum was announced but the deadline is today and it's now 12:30 PM Syria time.

Fierce Infighting Reported among Terrorists in Southern Syria as Army Prepares for Operations

Thursday, June 14, 2018 - 2:41

FARS

TEHRAN (FNA)- Heavy infighting and differences were reported among a number of terrorist groups in Southern Syria as the army is preparing to launch an imminent assault in the region.

Informed sources in Southern Syria reported on Thursday that terrorist groups in Dara'a and the nearby regions have engaged in heavy infighting.

They added that despite differences among members of Shabab al-Senah Brigade terrorists in Basri al-Sham, they want their leaders to endorse the peace plan with the Syrian government but Ahmad al-Qoudah, the commander of the group, is opposed to the plan.

Reports also said that the terrorist groups operating under the umbrella group of Tajamo al-Wieh al-Amri, one of the lagest branches of the Free Syria Army are defecting the FSA, adding that Ansar al-Shariat Brigade has joined the Jeish (Army of) Ahrar al-Ashayer after defection.

Meantime, the impending attack of the Syrian army in the Southern parts of the country has filled the terrorist groups with panic and persuaded some of them to join the government's peace plan.

The Syrian army gave a last ultimatum to the terrorist groups in the Southern provinces of Dara'a and Quneitra on Wednesday to lay down arms and join the reconciliation plan.

The army gave a 48-hour-long ultimatum to the terrorists in Dara'a and Quneitra to join the peace plan in the region and surrender to the government forces.

In the meantime, local sources reported that commanders of terrorist groups have not accepted yet the Russian Reconciliation Centers' call for peace talks, adding that a wave of disunity and defection has started in the terrorist front over the peace agreement.

The army has in recent days sent a large volume of military equipment and a large number of forces to prepare for a large-scale operation in the region.

[END REPORT]

MILITANTS ASSASSINATE ANOTHER MEMBER OF RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE IN SOUTHERN SYRIA

June 14, 2018

SouthFront

On June 14, unknown gunmen shot and killed Doctor Musa Qanbas, a member of the reconciliation committee in southern Syria, in front of his clinic in the town of al-Harra in the northwestern Daraa countryside, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Doc. Qanbas. However, Syrian pro-government activists believe that the newly formed Ahrar Tell al-Harrah Brigade may have been behind the crime. The group vowed to work against the Syrian Arab Army and Russia when it was first formed on May 4.

This is not the first attack on the members of the reconciliation committee in southern Syria. On June 2, three members of the committee named “Tufiq al-Ghunim”, “Mohamad al-Ghunim” and “Mufaq al-Bargas” were assassinated in the northeastern Daraa countryside.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least twelve members of the committee were assassinated by unknown gunmen during the last two months.

These public figures are being targeted for working with the Damascus government to reach a peaceful solution in the southern governorates of Daraa and al-Quneitra. Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad confirmed that such efforts are taking place during an interview on June 13 and said that Israel and the U.S. are working against them.

[END REPORT]

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