Beirut (TIP): The Syrian government forces shelled rebel-held parts of a volatile southern city september 1 killing at least one person, while insurgents killed four soldiers after Russia-brokered talks to end the presence of opposition fighters in the area collapsed.

Syria’s state media reported that government forces retaliated against fire by opposition fighters inside the city of Daraa and that attacks on army checkpoints in the city left four soldiers dead and 15 wounded.

It said several civilians were wounded in insurgent shelling of government-held parts of Daraa.

The opposition blamed the government for the escalation, saying that troops were pressing an offensive to force insurgents to surrender.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the government’s elite 4th Division and pro-government gunmen tried to storm the rebel-held old quarter of Daraa known as Daraa al-Balad. At least one person was killed and another wounded in shelling on Daraa al-Balad. — AP