Rebels from Daraa are now in control of the biggest and oldest international border crossing with Jordan, according to reports.
Fierce clashes between rebels and Syrian regime forces for control of the southern gate continued right through Wednesday and in to early hours Thursday, with heavy bombardment by regime warplanes.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) brigades are about to announce a full control of the Daraa Jamrok customs center, which is considered an important gain because it opens the way to the Naseeb border crossing, meaning all southern gates to the Daraa al-Balad will be in their control.
The rebel battle was entitled "For you Rawan" in reference to Rawan Kaddah, a 16-year-old girl who was forced to confess practicing sex jihad in an interview with Assad-run media, activists said.
Activists reported that rebel groups have allocated tasks to confront regime forces at the al-Hajjana front in eastern Daraa and at the customs gates at al-Manshiya and Harat al-Bado.
Sources confirmed the liberation of the customs center in Daraa was delayed over fears of regime retaliation and possible massacres. The source said operations had resulted until now in cutting the supply route connecting northern Daraa al-Balad to security and military centers.
The source added that the FSA cooperated with many Islamist factions to cut off roads and that they had besieged the al-Manshiya neighborhood, the last remaining area under regime control.
The FSA gained heavy weapons there, including anti-aircraft guns, also arresting many regime soldiers, the source said.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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