At least 26 die in Druze clashes with Syrian troops after Druze cleric slain

Deadly clashes erupted Friday on Djebel Druze between minority members and Syrian government troops after two bomb cars went off in the southern town of Suweida in the Druze strongholdm, killing Sheikh Wahid Balous, a prominent anti-Assad opponent and seven people including two more Druze clerics. DEBKAfile: Armed Druzes then seized and torched Syrian government offices and Army Intelligence bases in their region. Clashes continued through Friday night.