DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian opposition forces seized the city of Sheikh Miskin, in Daraa's northern countryside, at the end of 2014, but on Jan. 26, the regime regained control of the city, aided by Russian air cover as part of a military campaign launched Dec. 28. The government forces of President Bashar al-Assad had earlier regained control over strategic towns in the countryside of Latakia, including Salma, recovered Jan. 12, and Rabia and Rawda, retaken Jan. 24. The government forces' progress on several fronts cannot be isolated from the ongoing negotiations to end the war. The Geneva III peace talks officially convened Feb. 1. 

Sheikh Miskin — the fourth-largest city in Daraa province, with a population of 45,000 — is situated 54 miles from Damascus and 13 miles north of Daraa city, which makes it the gateway from Daraa’s eastern countryside to its western countryside, which is controlled by opposition forces. The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces declared in a Jan. 26 statement broadcast by the Syrian official news agency ​SANA that the Syrian army, in cooperation with popular defense groups and backed by Russian air power, had restored security and stability to Sheikh Miskin city following a “series of successes in which the army assumed control of several sites, most importantly the Brigade 82 Camp and al-Hash hill, in addition to destroying centers of the terrorist organizations,” causing them huge losses in fighters and equipment. On the same day, Russia Today posted video of Syrian armed forces entering the city.

Kamel Sakr, a field reporter and expert on military affairs, has covered several operations by the Syrian army. Sakr told Al-Monitor, “The Syrian army’s control of the city is an important step. The city stretches over a large area, 114 square kilometers [44 square miles], and is a strategic location linking Daraa to Damascus. It is also adjacent to the crossing point for militants from Daraa toward the countryside of Quneitra.”

Sakr said, “Controlling Sheikh Miskin [alone] is insufficient, however, to halt the armed groups’ advance and cut off their supply lines between Daraa and Quneitra. Accordingly, the Syrian army must advance toward the west, to the town of Nawa. This would have a significant effect on the Syrian army’s advance on the Daraa front.”