Bedouins close to the authorities and Druze groups are fighting on the outskirts of the southern Syrian city of Sweida, from where government forces have withdrawn, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a non-governmental organization and participants in the clashes, BTA reports.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports "clashes west of Sweida between tribal fighters and Bedouins supported by the authorities and Druze fighters".
Fighters from both sides confirmed to Agence France-Presse correspondents that there were skirmishes.
Government forces have withdrawn from Sweida, where the Druze are in the majority. They intervened in the conflict earlier this week, saying their aim was to end clashes between the Druze and Sunni Bedouin communities. The UN Human Rights Council says nearly 600 people have been killed since the fighting began.
The UN Human Rights Council, Druze groups and witnesses accused government forces of siding with the Bedouin and committing atrocities while deploying in Sweida.
A ceasefire has been in place, but the Syrian presidency said last night that the Druze were violating it.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for an immediate investigation into the clashes in southern Syria.
"The bloodshed and violence must end, and the protection of all people must be the absolute priority. "Independent, timely and transparent investigations should be conducted into all acts of violence, and those responsible should be held accountable," Turk said in a statement.