Syrian Army advances through strategic town in east Daraa

BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:00 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) reached the newly liberated town of Al-Hirak in the eastern countryside of the Daraa Governorate on Friday.

Footage shows truckloads of soldiers as they pass through battle-damaged streets.

According to the Syrian news agency SANA, the SAA was successful in re-establishing control over several villages northeast of Daraa city and operations are now underway to clear the areas of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The fighting is part of a week long offensive in the area, which according to the UN has displaced up to 45,000 people.

The majority of those displaced have reportedly fled from the eastern parts of Daraa towards the country’s southern border with Jordan.