Deadly Clashes Erupt Between Druze Minority and Government Forces in Syria

Clashes between the Druze minority and government-affiliated security forces in Syria continue. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least 73 people have died in sectarian clashes over the past two days. Among the dead in Sahnaya were 30 security officials, 15 Druze fighters, and one civilian. The Human Rights Observatory also announced that 15 Druze fighters were killed in an attack near Damascus. The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, reacted to the attacks, stating that a "genocidal campaign" was being carried out against his people.