Syrian Regime, Allies Mobilize in 'Death Triangle'

Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
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Syrian Regime, Allies Mobilize in 'Death Triangle'

Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP

Syrian regime forces and their allies mobilized on Sunday in the “death triangle” that lies between Daraa, Quneitra and Damascus, ahead of a battle to recuperate the strategic areas on the frontiers of the de-escalation zones between Damascus and the Jordanian borders and at the disengagement line in the occupied Golan Heights.

Opposition sources told Asharq Al-Awsat there are little chances that regime forces could produce any breach in the “death triangle,” asserting that the factions “are ready, and have the advantage in the area, because of their positioning on the top of the hills and mountains, particularly in the strategic Tal al-Hara.”

The sources said that the “death triangle” is the geographical area that links north Daraa with east Quneitra and the south of Damascus’ western suburbs.

They added that regime forces and their allied militias have tried in vain to control Tal al-Hara.

Leader of Moataz Bellah army in the southern front Lieutnant Bara’ Nabolsi told Asharq Al-Awsat that “reaching al-Hara is impossible.”

He said a long distance separates al-Hara from the first line of contact with regime forces.

Nabolsi said regime forces were spreading false rumors about a possibility to reach the hills as part of their propaganda to boost the morale of the Syrian soldiers who have repeatedly failed to reach the area.

Meanwhile, another section of a video spread on social media websites Sunday showing two members from “Saraya al-Islam” in southern Lebanon. The group is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.

The video came amid a wave of anger in Lebanon sparked by a video released on Saturday, showing leader of the Iraqi paramilitary group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazaali, on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Al-Khazaali declared his readiness “to stand united with the Lebanese people and the Palestinian cause.”

A “Future Movement” representative from Lebanon’s cabinet called on Labor Minister Mohammed Kabbara to arrest al-Khazaali and prosecute him for “violating the Lebanese sovereignty.”



Israel Says Remains of 3 Hostages Recovered from Gaza

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Israel Says Remains of 3 Hostages Recovered from Gaza

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The Israeli military said Sunday that it has recovered the remains of three hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

It identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19.

All three were killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war. The militant group is still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive.

Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son's remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan's 23rd birthday.

“The campaign to return the hostages continues consistently and is happening alongside the campaign against Iran,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.