Death toll in violence in Syria’s Swaida reaches 940

Clashes between the transitional government’s forces and Druze self-defense squads in Syria’s southern province of Swaida claimed about 940 lives, Sky News Arabia reported, citing medical sources.

Earlier reports put the death toll at 718.

The report says that the death toll in the violence, which has been ongoing since July 13, includes 262 civilians, among them women and children. 

Druze groups lost 326 members, while the government troops reported 312 deaths. 

Pro-government paramilitary units of Arab tribes lost 21 militiamen, while 19 internal security officers were killed by Israeli air strikes.