SWEIDA: Armed tribes supported by Syria’s Islamist-led government clashed with Druze fighters outside Sweida Friday a day after government troops withdrew from the Druze-majority city, the warring parties and a monitoring group said.
Combatants on both sides confirmed the clashes and AFP correspondents reported hearing exchanges of fire.
Syrian government forces withdrew from Sweida province on Thursday after coming under heavy bombardment by Israel.
The pullout from Syria’s Druze heartland came on the orders of interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said mediation by the United States and others had helped avert a “large-scale escalation” with Israel.
A ceasefire took effect on Thursday, but Sharaa’s office accused Druze groups of violating the agreement.
Tribal fighters gathered around Sweida on Friday to reinforce the Bedouin, positioning themselves in several villages near the city.
AFP correspondents heard intermittent gunfire and explosions and saw smoke rising from the villages.
Druze fighters told AFP they were responding to the sources of fire.
Anas Al-Enad, a tribal chief from the central city of Hama, said he and his men had made the journey to the village of Walgha, northwest of Sweida, because “the Bedouin called for our help and we came to support them.”
Syria tribes clash with Druze fighters near Sweida: combatants
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Syria tribes clash with Druze fighters near Sweida: combatants
- Armed tribes supported by Syria’s Islamist-led government clashed with Druze fighters outside Sweida Friday a day after government troops withdrew from the Druze-majority city
Iran says students have right to protest but must know ‘red lines’
- University students in Iran started a new semester Saturday with pro- and anti-government rallies, according to local media
Tehran: University students have the right to protest but everyone must “understand the red lines,” the Iranian government’s spokeswoman said Tuesday, in the first official reaction to renewed rallies on campuses since the weekend.
“Sacred things and the flag are two examples of these red lines that we must protect and not cross or deviate from, even at the height of anger,” Fatemeh MoHajjerani said.
She said Iran’s students “have wounds in their hearts and have seen scenes that may upset and anger them; this anger is understandable.”
University students in Iran started a new semester Saturday with pro- and anti-government rallies, according to local media, reviving slogans from nationwide demonstrations that peaked in January and led to thousands of deaths.
Protests first began in December sparked by economic woes in the sanctions-hit country, but grew into nationwide demonstrations on January 8 and 9.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has recorded more than 7,000 deaths, while warning the full toll is likely far higher.
Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fueled by the United States and Israel.
MoHajjerani on Tuesday said a fact-finding mission is investigating “the causes and factors” of the protests and will provide reports.
