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Syrian Forces Take Strategic Hill Overlooking Israeli-controlled Golan
Heights, Syrian TV says

by VOA News

   Syrian TV said government forces captured a strategic hill overlooking
   the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights as they continue their drive to
   retake the last part of southwestern Syria still in rebel hands.

   Al-Haara hill is the highest point in Deraa province, which the rebels
   say has come under heavy Syrian and Russian bombardment over the last
   two days.

   The Syrians are carrying out the same strategy they used in other parts
   of the country -- force the rebels to negotiate a surrender and allow
   them and their families to retreat to other rebel-controlled areas.

   The fighting in southern Syria has put Israel on high alert. The
   bombings are very close to the Syrian side of the demilitarized zone
   set up along the Israeli border after the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

   Israel has warned Syria and its allies, Iran and Hezbollah, against
   deploying any forces in the zone, threatening a "harsh response."

   Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump
   promised to work together to keep unwanted forces away from the area.