US warns Syria rebels in south 'against provoking regime' as Assad sets sights on Daraa

The United States has reportedly warned Syrian rebels in the southern province of Daraa to not provoke the regime amid speculation the opposition-held area will be the focus of an upcoming regime offensive.

Washington's embassy in Jordan has sent orders to the US-backed rebels in Daraa to maintain a ceasefire agreement, pan-Arab newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat  reported on Monday.

"As a guarantor of the de-escalation agreement, we do not want to see the regime taking your territory in the south," the letter reportedly said.

"We want to preserve your right to demand a state of freedom and justice, so we ask you to take full care not to give the regime and its allies any chance to attack you,"

"If you engage in military action that violates the de-escalation agreement, we can not defend you. If the regime breaches the agreement, we will do our utmost to stop the violation and ensure the continuation of the agreement," it added.

Last year the US, Russia and Jordan reached a ceasefire and "de-escalation agreement" meant to halt fighting between Syrian regime forces and rebel groups in the southwest.

The report comes amid reports that regime troops will shift south after the capture of Eastern Ghouta to Daraa.

The regime last week said it had retaken Ghouta after a nearly two-month assault that killed more than 1,700 civilians and the evacuation deals that saw rebels and civilians bused up to northern Syria.

The vast Daraa province lies south of Damascus and also shares borders with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Non-jihadist rebels, backed by the US and Jordan, hold nearly three-quarters of it and parts of the provincial capital, also called Daraa.

Last week, opposition forces in Daraa said they were preparing for an upcoming battle with Syrian regime forces.