Update on the current situation in Tafas, Daraa: This morning, the 4th Division of the Syrian Army briefly stormed the town, which is under the control of reconciled opposition fighters, previously in the FSA's Muataz Billah Brigade under the command of Abu Murshid al-Bardan.

The 4th Division/regime have been wanting to storm and clear Tafas since the area was given a degree of local autonomy in the 2018 agreement concluded with the Russians to surrender the town to the regime ("reconciliation).

The 4th Division exploited recent tribal fighting in the town (between the Zoubi and Kiwan clans) that involved the use of heavy weapons, to argue that the reconciled rebels in the town were involved & must hand over the heavy weapons (the rebels claim they weren't involved)

Another reason the 4th Division gave for storming the town were recently made threats by an ISIS-linked commander from Tafas, Abu Tareq al-Subaihi, to the 4th Division, after the 4th Division apparently tried to assassinate him.

The 4th Division entered Tafas today to search the home of Abu Tareq & agricultural areas. During the raid, the 4th Division used artillery & tanks to shell Tafas, hitting a school. In response, the reconciled rebels fired on the 4th Division & apparently killed several soldiers.

Negotiations started between the Central Committee uniting reconciled rebel commanders, the 5th Corps and Russia, to solve the crisis. 4th Division forces remain on the outskirts of the town. The regime is demanding the displacement to Idlib of 8 men, rebels & ISIS.

Thus far, the reconciled rebels inside are refusing displacement. According to a commander of the rebels present in Tafas, Abu Tareq escaped to Lebanon with his son today. Negotiations are set to resume tomorrow in Daraa city.

In today's meeting between Russia and commanders of Syrian Army units loyal to Russia, as well as the 4th Division & "reconciled" rebel commanders, the names of 5 ISIS members were put forward that the regime would like to displace from Tafas.

The Russians stated they'll resort to air strikes on ISIS hideouts if the ISIS men do not surrender/be arrested. The "reconciled" rebels are happy to see the ISIS men arrested, as they've killed many in the ranks of the rebels, including immediate relatives of the former rebels.

Although today was the deadline given by Russian for the displacement of ISIS members & former rebels to Idlib from Tafas & yesterday Russian drones circled over Tafas, negotiations are set to resume tomorrow between Russia & commanders of reconciled rebel factions.

Unprecedented escalation in southern Syria by insurgents who launched attacks on regime forces across Daraa & for the 1st time, western Damascus countryside, in solidarity w/ Tafas. An even larger scale attack is planned by them if the regime attacks Tafas https://twitter.com/nourabohsn/status/1354909399211507714?s=19

Attack also launched on a Syrian Army base in Jubatha al-Khashab, Quneitra https://twitter.com/nourabohsn/status/1354909690732425220?s=19 The insurgents are trying to deter the regime from launching an attack on Tafas, under the control of "reconciled" rebels

Still no agreement reached between the former/current rebels concerning the solution for Tafas. Meanwhile, the Syrian Army and Iranian-backed militias continue to send reinforcements and artillery pieces to Daraa.

The reports about Russian green light to regime forces to assault western Daraa are false according to a "reconciled" rebel commander who is set to meet with the Russians, alongside other commanders, for additional negotiations in a few hours.

Negotiations are ongoing between the regime and the reconciled rebels concerning the situation in Tafas with Russian mediation. No regime operation is forthcoming at the moment, according to a reconciled rebel commander who maintains ongoing contact with the Russians.

According to a participant in today's negotiations between the Russians, the Central Committee of the reconciled rebel commanders in southern Syria & the regime, an agreement was reached regarding the situation in Tafas, Daraa.

Under the deal, 4 men will be obligated to leave Tafas, but through smuggling, to Idlib. Thus, the red line of the reconciled rebels isn't violated - they opposed forced displacement through the regime (as done in Sanamayn). 3 of the men are ISIS, another already fled to Lebanon.

*The insurgents in the town will hand over 3 RPG launchers, 1 mortar grenade launcher & one 14.5 mm machine gun.
* Search of farm areas suspected as ISIS hideouts. The search will be executed by reconciled local rebels who joined the 4th Division.

* a joint patrol of the Military Intelligence (mukhabarat) alongside reconciled rebels from the region from east to west Tafas, and ending in Muzayrib.
The presence of locals is intended to prevent abuses & looting by the mukhabarat.

Analysis: the deal clearly demonstrates the limited ability of the regime to impose its will on the south, after Russian-led "reconciliation" processes allowed for the emergence of forces that aren't opposition but not loyalist either. Those forces shield local insurgents.

Despite massive regime & Iranian-backed reinforcements, Russian-linked forces won out. The night of multiple simultaneous attacks of insurgents across the south (Daraa, Quneitra & western Damascus countryside) demonstrates the growing capacity & audacity of the insurgents.