The Syrian regime backed by Iran and Shi'ite militias has stepped up its air and artillery bombardments on southern Daraa province despite the three-day Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fiter, leaving several people killed and wounded, local activists said Tuesday.
The strikes in the third day of Eid al-Fiter hit the towns of al-Harra, al-Ajami, Mzaireeb, al-Fawar, Tafas, Dael, and Om al-Mayathenin the eastern countryside.
The regime army seeks to take rebel-held parts of Daraa and the few kilometers (miles) between it and the border, in order to split the insurgent areas of southeast Syria in half.
Local activists said regime helicopters dropped 42 barrel bombs, 14 of it on rebel-held neighborhoods of Daraa city.
Heavy clashes took place this week between rebels and the army's elite Fourth Armored Division at the eastern gate of Daraa
