Clashes broke out between Zakia town residents in Damascus countryside and local militants linked to the 4th brigade - led by Maher Assad who is the brother of Bashar Assad. Clashes erupted after a wanted individual from the town was killed as he was chased by militants. Local sources in Damascus countryside reported that some Zakia residents burnt several houses of local militants during hours-long clashes that resulted in the death of five, three from the 4th brigade and two armed men from the town.
The residents of Zakia town had been raising anti-regime banners, and a man was killed by local militias affiliated with Maher al-Assad’s Fourth Division this week.