Sectarian clashes kill 13 near Syrian capital Damascus

Druze elders meet security forces in a bid to prevent further escalation of deadly violence in the town of Jaramana. Authorities in Syria have assured a thorough investigation into clashes that are reported to have killed 13 people in a town near the capital, Damascus, largely populated by the country’s Druze minority. The Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Tuesday that it would pursue those involved in the sectarian violence. Attackers from the nearby town of Maliha and other predominantly Sunni areas converged on the mostly Druze town of Jaramana. The Interior Ministry reported casualties following “intermittent clashes between groups of gunmen”, adding that security forces “went to break up the clashes and protect the residents”.