Over 350 killed in southern Syria unrest: monitoring group
More than 350 people have been killed in violent clashes in Syria’s southern Sweida province since the weekend, according to an updated death toll released Thursday by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Britain-based war monitor said fighting that began on Sunday has left 79 Druze fighters and 55 civilians dead, including 27 reportedly executed by members of the defence and interior ministries. Additionally, 189 personnel from those ministries and 18 Bedouin fighters were also killed. The Observatory had previously reported a toll of 300 deaths.
Among the casualties was journalist Hassan al-Zaabi, who was shot dead in Sweida. The Syrian Journalists' Union said he was killed by “outlaw gangs” while on duty, though they did not disclose his media affiliation.
The Observatory also reported that Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria killed another 15 members of the defence and interior ministries.
