Syrian army takes key town near Israeli border in major breakthrough

A Syrian army force under the command of Iranian and Russian officers has captured Sheikh Maskin, a key southern town near the Israeli border, thereby cutting off rebel groups east of Deraa from those deployed to the west of the town. DEBKAfile adds: Sheikh Maskin is the key to controlling the southern hub of the roads leading to the Jebel Druze town of Suwaida, the Golan town of Quneitra and Damascus. The town fell after Russian air strikes were resumed following an interruption caused by stormy weather.