Warplanes strike south Syria city: monitor

Warplanes struck an opposition-held area in Syria's southwestern Deraa province yesterday, a war monitor and local activists reported, a military escalation in territory where government forces are threatening a major offensive. The raids hit the area of al-Masika village in northeastern Deraa province. Clashes were also underway in the area. Rebel forces control swathes of territory in southwestern Syria, which borders Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.