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Will regime keep the upper hand in Syrian conflict?

The Syrian army has gained control of the area connecting Moadamiyet al-Sham and Daraya in Rif Dimashq, though opposition figures say the siege won’t last.

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Smoke rises after barrel bombs were dropped by government forces in Daraya, near Damascus, Jan. 31, 2014. — REUTERS/Omar Abu Bakr

DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian regime and its allies have taken control over the entire area between the cities of Moadamiyet al-Sham and Daraya in Rif Dimashq governorate, following an extensive military campaign and heavy aerial bombardment that began in December 2015. The campaign aims to isolate the city of Daraya, which has already been besieged for three years, cutting off the only humanitarian supply line and weakening the opposition and civilians in preparation to storm the city.

However, on Feb. 9, the regime’s first attempt to breach the city failed. The effort was renewed on Feb. 12 from the northwest, near Moadamiyet al-Sham, accompanied by clashes between the regime forces and opposition fighters involving ground-to-ground missiles and 56 barrel bombs.

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