Renewed sectarian clashes in south Syria kill two: Monitor - Region
The province witnessed deadly clashes between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouins in July that drew the intervention of government forces and tribal fighters who came to support the Bedouins.
A ceasefire put an end to the week of bloodshed -- which killed 1,400 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights -- but the situation remained tense, flaring into violence again on Sunday.
"A member of the General Security forces was killed and seven others were injured... as clashes erupted with local factions around Tal Hadid in the western Sweida countryside," said the Observatory, which also reported the death of a "local fighter".
Tal Hadid is a "key control point" at a relatively high altitude, according to the monitor, allowing whoever controls it to overlook neighbouring areas.
Fighting also erupted around the city of Thaala, the Observatory said, "following bombardment of the area with shells and heavy weapons launched from areas under the control of government forces, while the sound of explosions and gunfire was heard in various parts of Sweida city".
According to the monitor and Sweida locals, Damascus has been imposing a siege on the province, with the Observatory saying the government wants to "force inhabitants to comply".
The road linking Sweida to Damascus has been cut off since July 20.
Damascus accuses Druze groups of cutting it, but the Observatory says armed groups allied with the government took control of the area and have been blocking travel.
The Syrian government said it would investigate the July violence in the province, and a committee in charge of the inquiry held its first meeting on Saturday.
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