Adnkronos Damascus, April 30 (Adnkronos/Dpa/Europa Press) – According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll from clashes between a Druze militia and pro-government fighters on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus has risen to 18. The London-based non-governmental organization said the clashes left nine residents of the towns of Jaramana, Sahnaya and Ashrafié Sahnaya dead, as well as 15 wounded.
Among the victims is the Druze spiritual leader of Sahnaya, Sheikh Wajdi al-Haj Ali, who was shot in the head. According to the NGO, nine members of the government forces also died in the clashes, while many others were injured.
The Syrian Interior Ministry instead speaks of 16 deaths among members of the security forces in the second day of clashes between armed groups linked to the government and Druze fighters. The ministry specified that this morning "rebel groups" attacked checkpoints of the security forces on the outskirts of Sahnaya, killing eleven people. Five other members were killed in another attack.
The Observatory, which said the death toll could rise further as some of the wounded were in critical condition, said the clashes erupted after a message attributed to a Druze cleric, seen as an insult to the Prophet Muhammad, was posted on social media, sparking a campaign of "sectarian incitement."