Syrian government vows to fight rebels despite US warning
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A Syrian state-run newspaper says Damascus will keep fighting the country's rebels — or "terrorists" as the government calls opposition fighters — despite U.S. warnings against a new offensive in southern Daraa province.
Washington has cautioned it would take "firm and appropriate measures" to protect a cease-fire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assad's forces move against rebels there.
The Al-Baath daily said in an editorial published on Monday that the U.S. threat underscores the "dirty American role in the terrorist war" against Syria.
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The United States, Russia, and Jordan agreed last year to include Daraa in a "de-escalation zone" and freeze lines of conflict there.
Government forces recently dropped leaflets on rebel-held areas in Daraa, warning of an imminent offensive and urging anti-Assad fighters to lay down their arms.