This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-44949823

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Syria war: Suicide attacks in the south kill dozens Syria war: Suicide attacks in the south kill dozens
(35 minutes later)
Suicide bombings and gun attacks in southern Syria have killed at least 50 people, reports say.Suicide bombings and gun attacks in southern Syria have killed at least 50 people, reports say.
The attacks took place in and around the government-held city of Suweida on Wednesday, state media and monitors reported. The Islamic State (IS) group has been blamed for the violence.The attacks took place in and around the government-held city of Suweida on Wednesday, state media and monitors reported. The Islamic State (IS) group has been blamed for the violence.
Pro-government forces are reported to be fighting militants east of the city.Pro-government forces are reported to be fighting militants east of the city.
The Syrian government, backed by Russia, has retaken control of much of southern Syria in recent months.The Syrian government, backed by Russia, has retaken control of much of southern Syria in recent months.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported a string of suicide bombings in Suweida, south of the capital Damascus, and in villages to the north and east. It said militants stormed homes in the villages and killed the occupants.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported a string of suicide bombings in Suweida, south of the capital Damascus, and in villages to the north and east. It said militants stormed homes in the villages and killed the occupants.
At least 32 pro-government fighters and 22 civilians were killed, said the observatory's head, Rami Abdel Rahman. More than 20 IS fighters also died, he told AFP news agency.At least 32 pro-government fighters and 22 civilians were killed, said the observatory's head, Rami Abdel Rahman. More than 20 IS fighters also died, he told AFP news agency.
State news agency Sana reported one suicide attack at a market in Suweida and said security forces had killed two other attackers before they could blow themselves up. Militants also attacked three villages north-east of the city, it said.State news agency Sana reported one suicide attack at a market in Suweida and said security forces had killed two other attackers before they could blow themselves up. Militants also attacked three villages north-east of the city, it said.
The report gave no casualty figures but said a number of people had been "martyred".The report gave no casualty figures but said a number of people had been "martyred".
State TV also said government forces were "targeting positions of the Daesh (IS) terrorist group" in countryside to the east of Suweida.State TV also said government forces were "targeting positions of the Daesh (IS) terrorist group" in countryside to the east of Suweida.
The Syrian military, backed by Russian forces, recently launched an operation to drive rebel from their remaining strongholds in the south-west. Later, Suweida governor Amer al-Eshi told state-run Ikhbariyah TV that the city was now "secure and calm".
He said authorities had arrested one of the attackers.
The Syrian military, backed by Russian forces, recently launched an operation to drive rebels from their remaining strongholds in the south-west.
On Wednesday, Russia-backed government forces were also reported to be bombarding pockets of IS-held territory in Daraa, west of Suweida.On Wednesday, Russia-backed government forces were also reported to be bombarding pockets of IS-held territory in Daraa, west of Suweida.
At least 270,000 people have fled their homes in the region as fighting continues, the UN says.At least 270,000 people have fled their homes in the region as fighting continues, the UN says.
On Sunday, Israel allowed the evacuation of hundreds of White Helmets civil defence workers who were trapped in a war zone in southern Syria.On Sunday, Israel allowed the evacuation of hundreds of White Helmets civil defence workers who were trapped in a war zone in southern Syria.
The Syrian government condemned the move, describing it as a "criminal operation" by Israel and others.The Syrian government condemned the move, describing it as a "criminal operation" by Israel and others.