Rebels Seize Daraa, Fourth City in a Week

Syrian opposition forces have seized control of Daraa, known as the 'cradle of the revolution,' marking the fourth strategically important city lost by President Bashar al-Assad's regime within a week. The Syrian military agreed to withdraw from Daraa, with safe passage to Damascus, amidst a broader rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. This offensive also saw the fall of Aleppo and Hama, with rebels now controlling over 90% of Daraa province. The conflict has reignited tensions in regions like Sweida, where local Druze factions have taken control of checkpoints. The ongoing civil war has seen over 300,000 civilian deaths since its start in 2011, fueled by both domestic unrest and international involvement. The situation has led to regional advisories, with countries like India warning against travel to Syria due to the heightened risks.