Rebels captured the 82nd Brigade near the town of Sheikh Misqin in rural Dara’a after three-month siege. The commander of the regime military operations Sheikh Misqin, brigadier-general Mahmoud Ali, was killed along with a number of officers and dozens of militants, while a colonel and another brigadier-general were captured as they were trying to flee the battlefield. Resident of the towns and Izraa’ and Sanamayn said that dozens of bodies of pro-regime militants were brought to Al-Sanamayn military hospital after the battle against rebels. Rebels seized missiles systems along with equipment and ammunition.
It is worth noting that this is one of the most important air defense sites that fell to rebel forces. With the capture of the town of Sheikh Misqin rebels have come closer to the town of Izraa’, the regime’ last line of defense of the capital. A rebel commander said that their new offensive aims to cut off supply routes used by regime forces on the Damascus – Dara’a highway, tightening the siege on regime forces stationed in Al-Sanamayn. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)