'Calm in Syria's Sweida after a week of sectarian violence'

CALM appeared to have returned to southern Syria's Sweida province on Sunday, a monitor and correspondents reported, after a week of sectarian violence between Druze fighters and rival groups left hundreds dead.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that since around midnight, “Sweida has been experiencing a cautious calm”, adding government security forces had blocked roads leading to the province to prevent tribal fighters from heading there.

Correspondents on the outskirts of Sweida city reported hearing no fighting, adding humanitarian convoys were preparing to enter the Druze-majority town.

Sectarian clashes that erupted last Sunday between the Druze and Bedouin rivals drew in the Islamist-led government, Israel and armed tribes from other parts of Syria, killing at least 940 people according to the Observatory.

Witnesses, Druze factions and the Observatory have accused government forces of siding with the Bedouin and committing abuses, including summary executions, when they entered Sweida earlier in the week.