Security Official Killed Near Damascus

People inspect the damage at the site of an attack by two suicide bombers in Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
People inspect the damage at the site of an attack by two suicide bombers in Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
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Security Official Killed Near Damascus

People inspect the damage at the site of an attack by two suicide bombers in Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
People inspect the damage at the site of an attack by two suicide bombers in Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo

A Syrian security official was killed while traveling in Damascus’ countryside after a number of unknown gunmen targeted his convoy.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the gunmen opened fire on the head of the “military security detachment” on al-Salam highway near Kanaker town in western Ghouta.

One of his escorts was also killed in the attack.

The official is from Banias city.

Tensions have continued to grow in Kanaker after three women from the town were arrested by the regime's security services for unknown reasons.

The Observatory noted that several young men took down a huge poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, setting it on fire, following the arrest of the women.

According to SOHR sources, the town has been witnessing rising tensions and deployment of local gunmen on main roads.

The Observatory also said that unknown gunmen shot a former member of the opposition, who had been part of the “reconciliation and settlement” initiative and had later joined the ranks of regime forces.

This brings the number of attacks and assassination attempts through IEDs, landmines, booby-trapped vehicles and shootings to over 678 since June.

The number of deaths in the same period has risen to 449 persons, 123 of whom are civilians, including 12 women and 15 children, in addition to 209 regime soldiers and loyalists.

In addition, 79 people from opposition factions, who had made “settlements and reconciliations” with the regime and joined security services, have also been killed, including former leaders, 23 members of Syrian militias affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iranian forces, and 22 members of the so-called “Fifth Brigade.”



Syrian Govt Says Fighting in Sweida Halted

19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
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Syrian Govt Says Fighting in Sweida Halted

19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa

Fighting in Syria's Sweida "halted" on Sunday, the government said, after the southern city was recaptured by Druze fighters and state forces redeployed to the region where more than 900 people have been killed in sectarian violence.

Sweida was "evacuated of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city's neighborhoods were halted", Syria's interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said in a post on Telegram.

More than 900 people have been killed in Sweida since last Sunday as sectarian clashes between the Druze and Bedouin drew in the government, Israel and armed tribes from other parts of Syria.

In a statement on Saturday, the Syrian presidency announced an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and urged all parties to commit to it and end hostilities in all areas immediately.

US envoy Tom Barrack announced on Friday that Syria and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. Israel intervened in the conflict earlier this week, hitting government forces and the defense ministry building in Damascus as it declared support for the Druze minority.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later urged the Syrian government to "hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks".