Latest news with #Sweida24
Perth Now
a day ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Attacks on Syria forces amid sectarian clashes kills 16
Sixteen members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, the defence ministry says, after they deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes that local media reported had resumed. Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Sweida itself, following months of tensions in the broader province. In a statement to Reuters, the defence ministry said "outlawed groups," which it did not identify further, had attacked a number of its units at dawn. It said its forces responded to the attack and had pursued those groups that refused to halt hostilities and continued to target security forces. The fighting on Sunday left 30 people dead and prompted Syria's security forces to deploy units to the city to restore calm and guarantee safe passage for civilians looking to leave, the defence ministry said in an earlier statement. But intense clashes broke out again on Monday, local news outlet Sweida24 reported. Another security source said that Syrian troops would aim to exert state control over the whole province to prevent any more violence but that this could take several days. It marked the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since jihadist-led rebels toppled president Bashar al-Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces. Sunni Muslim Arab rebel groups which fought Assad during the war agreed in December to dissolve into the defence ministry but efforts to integrate armed factions from minority groups - including Druze and Kurds - have largely stalled. In southern Syria, efforts have been further complicated by Israel's stated policy that it would not allow Syria's new army to deploy south of Damascus and that Sweida and neighbouring provinces should make up a demilitarised zone. Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said in a written statement carried on state media that the "absence of state institutions, especially military and security institutions, is a major cause of the ongoing tensions in Sweida and its countryside". Sunday's violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Six Syrian security personnel killed amid sectarian clashes, source says
Six members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, a security source told Reuters, after they deployed to halt deadly sectarian clashes that local media reported had resumed on Monday. Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Sweida itself, following months of tensions in the broader province. The fighting left 30 people dead and prompted Syria's security forces to deploy units to the city to restore calm and guarantee safe passage for civilians looking to leave, the defence ministry said in a statement. But intense clashes broke out again on Monday, local news outlet Sweida24 reported. At least six Syrian troops were subsequently killed, a defence ministry source told Reuters. It marked the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist-led rebels toppled President Bashar al-Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Attacks on Syrian security forces sent to quell sectarian clashes leave 16 dead
Find out what's new on ST website and app. DAMASCUS - Sixteen members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, the defence ministry said, after they deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes that local media reported had resumed on Monday. Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Sweida itself, following months of tensions in the broader province. In a statement to Reuters, the defence ministry said "outlawed groups", which it did not identify further, had attacked a number of its units at dawn. It said its forces responded to the attack and had pursued those groups that refused to halt hostilities and continued to target security forces. The fighting on Sunday left 30 people dead and prompted Syria's security forces to deploy units to the city to restore calm and guarantee safe passage for civilians looking to leave, the defence ministry said in an earlier statement. But intense clashes broke out again on Monday, local news outlet Sweida24 reported. Another security source said that Syrian troops would aim to exert state control over the whole province to prevent any more violence, but that this could take several days. It marked the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist-led rebels toppled President Bashar al-Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces. Sunni Muslim Arab rebel groups which fought Assad during the war agreed in December to dissolve into the defence ministry but efforts to integrate armed factions from minority groups - including Druze and Kurds - have largely stalled. In southern Syria, efforts have been further complicated by Israel's stated policy that it would not allow Syria's new army to deploy south of Damascus and that Sweida and neighbouring provinces should make up a demilitarized zone. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said in a written statement carried on state media that the "absence of state institutions, especially military and security institutions, is a major cause of the ongoing tensions in Sweida and its countryside." Sunday's violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said. REUTERS
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Six Syrian security personnel killed after deploying to quell sectarian clashes, source says
DAMASCUS, July 14 (Reuters) - Six members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, a security source told Reuters, after they deployed to halt deadly sectarian clashes that local media reported had resumed on Monday. Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Sweida itself, following months of tensions in the broader province. The fighting left 30 people dead and prompted Syria's security forces to deploy units to the city to restore calm and guarantee safe passage for civilians looking to leave, the defence ministry said in a statement. But intense clashes broke out again on Monday, local news outlet Sweida24 reported. At least six Syrian troops were subsequently killed, a defence ministry source told Reuters. It marked the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist-led rebels toppled President Bashar al-Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces. Sunni Muslim Arab rebel groups which fought Assad during the war agreed in December to dissolve into the defence ministry but efforts to integrate armed factions from minority groups - including Druze and Kurds - have largely stalled. In southern Syria, efforts have been further complicated by Israel's stated policy that it would not allow Syria's new army to deploy south of Damascus and that Sweida and neighbouring provinces should make up a demilitarized zone. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said in a written statement carried on state media that the "absence of state institutions, especially military and security institutions, is a major cause of the ongoing tensions in Sweida and its countryside." Sunday's violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sectarian clash leaves 37 dead in Syria: violence between two factions; security forces deployed
Sectarian clash leaves 37 dead in Syria: violence between two factions; security forces deployed At least 37 people were killed in violent clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze fighters in the southern Syrian city of Sweida. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that among the 37 killed, 27 were Druze and 10 Bedouins, including two children Earlier on Sunday, local news outlet Sweida 24 had reported a preliminary toll of 10 dead and 50 wounded from both sides. Reportedly, Damascus-Sweida highway has been closed according to the outlet. Sweida Governor Mustapha al-Bakur responded to the violence and has urged citizens to 'exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform". Amid the violence, Syrian education ministry announced the postponement of official secondary school exams scheduled for Monday in Sweida. A new date is yet to be confirmed. Syria's state-run news agency SANA reported that security forces had been deployed along the administrative border between Daraa and Sweida provinces to manage the rough situation. Syria's Druze population numbers around 700,000, with Sweida province home to the sect's largest community. Tensions between Bedouin and Druze factions have simmered for years in Sweida, with recent flare up in April this year, killing dozens of people.
