Syria committee to investigate Sweida violence

Syria has pledged to investigate clashes in the southern province of Sweida which killed hundreds of people last month-the second major episode of sectarian violence since the ouster of longtime Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad.

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In a decree dated July 31, justice minister Muzher Al-Wais said a committee of seven people-including judges, lawyers and a military official - would look into the circumstances that led to the “events in Sweida” and report back within three months.

The committee would investigate reported attacks and abuses against civilians and refer anyone proven to have participated in such attacks to the judiciary.

The violence in Sweida began on July 13 between tribal fighters and Druze factions. Government forces were sent to quell the fighting but the bloodshed worsened, and Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops in the name of the Druze.