04 July 2018•Update: 04 July 2018
By Mohamed Misto
DARAA, Syria
Syrian opposition forces on Wednesday offered a cease-fire in Syria’s southern Daraa province in return for allowing civil institutions to resume operations in areas under their control.
The offer comes as part of a raft of proposals submitted to Russian officials by armed opposition groups.
The opposition has also reportedly asked Moscow to ensure that Assad regime forces refrain from entering opposition-held areas.
Under the proposal, civilian administrators would be made responsible for managing the Syria-Jordan border, while Russian military police -- in conjunction with opposition fighters -- would be tasked with protecting it.
On June 12, the Syrian regime, backed by Iranian militia groups and Russian air power, launched a major operation aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of southern Syria.
According to the U.K.-based Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least 214 civilians -- including women and children -- were killed in regime attacks in Daraa in the period from June 15 to June 30.
The onslaught has reportedly forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee to areas near Syria’s border with Jordan.
