Syrian forces impose control over strategic height near Israeli-occupied Golan amid preparations for new offensive

Syrian pro-government paramilitary forces have imposed full control over a key height by the name of Point 99, located dangerously close to the Israeli-occupied Golan region.

Point 99 is present to within three or so kilometers of Israeli-controlled areas of the Golan Heights on the provincial border between Damascus and Quneitrah governorates, just west of Beit Jinn town (recently seized by government forces).

The key hilltop area was handed over to pro-government forces by evacuating jihadist fighters one day ago as part of the last fulfillment of a withdrawal agreement reached during late December 2017.

According to Al-Masdar News journalist Ibrahim Joudeh, the Syrian Army and allied paramilitary groups (such as the elite Quneitrah Hawks Brigade and Golan Regiment) are planning a new offensive against rebel militia in the region which will most likely be aimed at expanding security into the countryside south of the government stronghold town of Al-Hadar.