Death toll from armed clashes in Syria’s Sweida rises to 1,400 people

Death toll from armed clashes in Syria’s Sweida rises to 1,400 people
DAMASCUS, July 25 (YPA) – The death toll from armed clashes that erupted in the southern Syrian province of Sweida has risen to 1,400 people, following violent clashes in the region in recent weeks.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday that the death toll reached 1,386 people on both sides, including 386 civilians, while 238 people were executed in the field by members of the so-called “Syrian Transitional Government Forces.”

The Druze-majority province of Sweida was being witnessed bloody clashes between local armed factions and militants from Bedouin tribes and elements loyal to the transitional government, amid reports of horrific massacres against Druze civilians.

The violence ended with a local agreement, whereby local factions would assume security duties within Sweida, in exchange for the complete withdrawal of Syrian transitional government forces from the province, according to field sources.

This escalation has been represented one of the most violent bouts of internal fighting in Sweida since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. It highlights the fragility of the security situation in southern Syria and the growing gap between local communities and the ruling authorities.

AA