DAMASCUS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles raged Sunday in the southern province of Daraa between the Syrian army and an array of rebel groups, a monitor group reported.

The Syrian army fired 110 rockets and artillery shells on rebel positions, as part of an intensification of battles in Daraa over the past 48 hours, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian conflict, has returned under the spotlight recently, as the Syrian army unleashed a wide-scale offensive on a triangle of areas to secure border areas between Syria, Iraq and Jordan.

Daraa's importance emanates from its location near the Jordanian borders amid talk that the Jordanians and the United States were planning to create a safe zone in Daraa.

On Sunday, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper, which has close ties with the government, said the Syrian army brought in "huge" reinforcements to Daraa, as part of its preparation to unleash a major offensive in Daraa.

The paper said five military units have become ready on three fronts to begin the liberation of Daraa. It's worth noting that several rebel groups operate in Daraa.