A Druze cleric known for criticising the Syrian regime and “Islamic State” has been killed in a car bomb attack in southern Syria. Sheikh Wahid Al-Balous’ death has sparked anti-government protests in southern Sweida.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed on Saturday that Al-Balous died in Friday’s blasts.
“Sheikh Wahid Al-Balous was killed in a car bomb attack as he was driving on the outskirts of Sweida city,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The suicide attack was carried out near the National Hospital in the predominantly Druze stronghold. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings.
Syria’s official news agency reported on Saturday that the death toll from the blast had also risen to 26.
Sheikh Wahid Al-Balous was one of the strongest opponents of President Bashar Al-Assad among the Druze minority sect, which dates back to the 10th century. Prior to the ongoing war, the offshoot of Shi’a Islam accounted for around 5% of Syria’s population of 23 million people.
Despite being divided during the war, the sect has largely avoided any involvement in the conflict. Tensions were mounting in Sweida on Saturday, however, with anti-government protests spreading across the city. According to activists, the protesters had also destroyed a statue of late Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad.
