 By November, rebel forces were in firm control of the region immediately north of the Ghouta plain, including the Anti-Lebanon Mountains region as far north as an-Nabk, and the eastern slopes of Mount Hermon, which marked the southwestern end of the Anti-Lebanon range.In the latter region, Zayd began preparing Druze peasants for an offensive against southern Lebanon.Zayd's intent was to establish a direct link with the Druze of Mount Lebanon and thus expand the revolt westward, thereby cutting the French links between Damascus and the port cities of Lebanon, including the Beirut–Damascus railway.