Protesters storm governor’s office in southern Syrian city, two killed in clashes

AMMAN, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Dozens of demonstrators indignant over worsening financial circumstances in Syria stormed and ransacked the governor’s workplace within the southern metropolis of Sweida on Sunday, clashing with police, the authorities and witnesses stated.

Earlier, greater than 200 folks had gathered across the constructing within the centre of the Druze-majority metropolis, chanting slogans calling for the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, they stated, amid spiralling costs and financial hardship.

“Down with Assad,” the group chanted. Anti-government protests in state-controlled areas in Syria should not tolerated and uncommon.

Syrian state media stated tens of “outlaws” stormed the governor’s workplace and burned information and official papers.

The Ministry of Inside stated that they had additionally tried to grab the town’s police headquarters, and that one policeman was killed within the ensuing clashes.

“We are going to pursue all of the outlaws and take all authorized measures in opposition to anybody who dares to undermine the safety and stability of the province,” the federal government assertion stated.

Three witnesses instructed Reuters the governor was not within the constructing which was vacated earlier than protesters stormed and ransacked places of work.

“The governor’s workplace was burnt fully from the within,” stated Rayan Maarouf, a civic activist and editor of Suwayda 24, an area web site that covers the southern area, who stated a number of folks had been wounded within the alternate of gunshots.

“There was heavy gunfire,” Maarouf instructed Reuters, saying it was not clear from the place the taking pictures got here within the closely policed space.

A supply within the metropolis hospital stated one civilian who was being handled had died from gunshot wounds whereas one other was nonetheless in hospital after being shot.

Sweida province has been spared the violence seen in different components of Syria for the reason that begin of the over-decade lengthy battle that started after pro-democracy protests erupted in opposition to Assad’s household rule had been violently crushed by safety forces.

The minority Druze sect, whose religion attracts its roots from Islam, have lengthy resisted being drawn into the Syrian battle that pits primarily Sunni rebels in opposition to Assad’s rule.

Many neighborhood leaders and prime Druze non secular leaders have refused to sanction enlistment within the military.

Syria is within the throes of a deep financial disaster the place a majority of individuals after a devastating battle that killed tons of of 1000’s and displaced thousands and thousands battle to afford meals and primary items.

Witnesses in Sweida instructed Reuters that after contained in the constructing, demonstrators introduced down footage of Assad.

Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi
Modifying by Gareth Jones, Kirsten Donovan and Raissa Kasolowsky

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.