Bloodshed in Syria: At least 37 dead in clashes between Druze, Bedouins

Clashes have erupted between Bedouin tribes and Druze in As Suwayda city in southern Syria, killing 37 people, a war monitor said, as authorities sent forces to de-escalate the situation.

The clashes are the first outbreak of deadly violence in the area since fighting between members of the Druze community and the security forces killed dozens of people in April and May, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western news sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 37 people had been killed, 27 of them Druze, including two children, and 10 of them Bedouin.

The Damascus-As Suwayda highway is reported to be closed due to the violence.

Syria's interior ministry put the toll at "more than 30 deaths and nearly 100 injuries" and said it would deploy troops in coordination with the defence ministry.

Those troops "will begin direct intervention in the area to resolve the conflict, stop the clashes, impose security, pursue those responsible for the incidents, and refer them to the competent judiciary," an interior ministry statement said.

By Khagan Isayev