Southern Front spokesman rebuts Israel's meeting reports

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spokesman for Southern Front operating in Daraa province refuted reports of a secret visit to Israel and attending peace talks initiative, saying such reports aim to defame armed opposition.

Major Issam al-Rayes via phone call said pro-regime news feeds have a clear agenda to link southern rebels with Israel.

Syrian regime media outlets said al-Rayes with Abu Osama al-Jolani, member in High Negotiations Committee (HNC) had attended a meeting in Israel to launch a peace initiative.

Two weeks ago, Moscow and Washington brokered a cessation of hostilities agreement in Southern Syria. Russia vowed to Israel to make the agreement a permanent deal to secure the border line with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the territory adjacent to Jordan.

Syrian regime has withdrawn a group of its elite Fourth Division forces from southern Daraa on Wednesday due the agreement. The withdrawal of elite forces was a sign by Damascus that the agreement is a long-term one, activists said.

On Sunday, Russia deployed military police at the checkpoints of regime army in the city of al-Sanamayn, 55 km (38 miles) north of Daraa as well in Kherbet Ghazaleh town, Salam Mohamed, rebel commander said.

One of the deal outcomes was merging of 11 rebel groups who agreed to unify the armed and political agenda in what may serve a united Syria.

'The National Front for the Liberation of Syria' is the outcome of necessity as the the opposition armed factions suffer weakness due to mounting rifts and discords, activists said.

Meanwhile, Syria’s leading Civil Defense group finds a space of time to mend and serve residents in Daraa city.

'Life wheel is rolling again', residents told Zaman al-Wasl who work with the White Helmets rescuing group to lift the piling rubble from Daraa streets after six years of heavy bombing.

Ibrahim Abu Nabout, Director of Daraa’s civil Defense, said the campaign is taking place in rebel-held Daraa city after six month of clashes that left huge destruction.