Clashes broke out between Zakia town residents in Damascus countryside and local militants linked to the 4th brigade - led by Maher Assad who is the brother of Bashar Assad.
Clashes erupted after a wanted individual from the town was killed as he was chased by militia members.
Local sources in Damascus countryside reported that some Zakia residents burnt several houses of local militia members during hours-long clashes that resulted in the death of five, three from the 4th brigade and two armed men from the town.
Moreover, four were wounded and three were kidnapped from Maher Assad's brigade.
Activists from Zakia Alhadath website said that its correspondent was wounded by a stray bullet as she covered the clashes.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three members of the 4th brigade were killed, and three others were detained. In addition, two armed men were killed while four others were wounded.
SOHR noted that the clashes broke out after the death of an individual during an attempt to arrest him by a local militia. Moreover, one of the three detainees admitted that three officials planted explosive devices in Zakia to target anti-regime figures.
The opposition website, Damascus Voice gave further details, by saying that Nazeer Shaaban, a resident of Zakia, was shot in the chest by Jamal Zinedine, a member of Muawiya Tohme – a militia affiliated with the 4th brigade.
Last week, regime forces dispatched military reinforcements to Zakia and installed checkpoints at its entrances. They further threatened to raid the town after the spread of anti-regime banners as protests persisted in Sweida.
Negotiations were held with the town’s elders to contain the tension, and a settlement was reached on Sunday regarding some of those wanted by the regime. But tension erupted again Wednesday night.
