Syrian rebels attack main Jordan crossing: monitor

BEIRUT - Agence France-Presse

Syrian rebels have been gaining territory in the southern Daraa province recently. REUTERS Photo

Syrian rebels fought fierce clashes with regime forces on April 1 over the last border crossing with Jordan still in government hands, a monitor said.

A coalition of Syrian rebels including Islamists launched an attack on the southern border crossing of Nasib in Daraa province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

"Fierce fighting over the control of the Nasib border crossing with Jordan erupted early this morning between Islamists and rebels and regime forces, with the rebels putting the crossing under siege," said the Britain-based group.

Regime military planes dropped barrel bombs and launched missiles on rebel positions around Nasib, Observatory director Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP.

If rebel forces seize the crossing then "there would be no presence for pro-regime forces on the border with Jordan," he said.

Syrian rebels have been gaining territory in the southern Daraa province recently.

Last week rebels seized full control of the ancient city of Bosra al-Sham, pushing pro-regime forces out after days of heavy fighting.

In January rebels -- including fighters from the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front -- seized an important government army base in the province.

More than 215,000 people have been killed and more than half of the country's population has been displaced since Syria's uprising began in the Daraa province in 2011.