Security Official Killed Near Damascus

A Syrian security official was killed while traveling in Damascus’ countryside after a number of unknown gunmen targeted his convoy.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the gunmen opened fire on the head of the “military security detachment” on al-Salam highway near Kanaker town in western Ghouta.

One of his escorts was also killed in the attack.

The official is from Banias city.

Tensions have continued to grow in Kanaker after three women from the town were arrested by the regime’s security services for unknown reasons.

The Observatory noted that several young men took down a huge poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, setting it on fire, following the arrest of the women.

According to SOHR sources, the town has been witnessing rising tensions and deployment of local gunmen on main roads.

The Observatory also said that unknown gunmen shot a former member of the opposition, who had been part of the “reconciliation and settlement” initiative and had later joined the ranks of regime forces.

This brings the number of attacks and assassination attempts through IEDs, landmines, booby-trapped vehicles and shootings to over 678 since June.

The number of deaths in the same period has risen to 449 persons, 123 of whom are civilians, including 12 women and 15 children, in addition to 209 regime soldiers and loyalists.

In addition, 79 people from opposition factions, who had made “settlements and reconciliations” with the regime and joined security services, have also been killed, including former leaders, 23 members of Syrian militias affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iranian forces, and 22 members of the so-called “Fifth Brigade.”