New ceasefire breach in Sweida countryside

Late yesterday, a new ceasefire violation was recorded in the western countryside of Sweida, after Syrian transitional government forces, stationed between the towns of Al-Mazra'a and Najran, opened fire with heavy machine guns on the village of Al-Majdal.

ANHA correspondent reported that the sounds of clashes could still be heard in the area, with intermittent clashes taking place on the Al-Majdal axis between Syrian transitional government forces and local Druze militants.

According to residents, the intense gunfire caused panic in the village, amid fears that the clashes could expand in the absence of any real guarantees for the declared ceasefire.

In a related development, the city of Sweida witnessed mass demonstrations yesterday, attended by residents of villages and towns, protesting what they described as a "suffocating siege and barbaric attack" targeting the Druze community and the population of Sweida in general.

Residents raised banners and chanted slogans demanding the lifting of the siege, the opening of humanitarian and commercial crossings, and the guarantee of freedom of movement, all the way to achieve self-determination for Sweida and independence from central control

Sh-S

ANHA