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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Young men of Druze minority quit conscription |
| 2015-06-16 |
| [EN.ZAMANALWSL.NET] Number of young men of Syria's Druze minority, who joined regime army to figh rebels south Syria, have quitted conscription saying regime has breached a promise to not get them involved in fight out of Sweida province, their historic stronghold, activists said Sunday. Local activists also said that tens of young people had attacked an office belongs to state ruling party in al-Mefa'leh village expressing their anger. The young men said regime army wanted them to fight against moderate rebels in Daraa to regain Liwa 52, the biggest army brigade south of Syria. Activists circulated footage for prominent Druze leader, Sheikh Wahid al-Balous, saying Druze youth will not join Syrian Army. The main mission of Druze community is to protect their stronghold in Arab Mount, he added. Last few days, members of Druze minority helped Army in thwarting a rebel attack on al-Thala air base, mobilizing to confront holy warriors including al Qaeda's Nusra Front. A Druze leader from Sweida said young men from the city had helped recapture the airbase. A rebel leader confirmed that the government side had sent reinforcements to the base. The Druze leader, Sheikh Abu Khaled Shaaban, said young men from Sweida had deployed in several areas including the airport under the umbrella of the National Defense Force and "popular committees" that are battling alongside the Syrian army. State TV said dozens of Sweida residents had joined the army and NDF, according to Rooters. Some Druze leaders have warned of an existential threat facing their kin after Nusra Front fighters rubbed out 20 people in a Druze village in northwestern Syria on Wednesday - an incident ignited by Nusra's attempt to confiscate a house, Rooters said.. |
| Posted by:Fred |