Deadly Syria clashes continue for second day outside Damascus

At least 11 civilians and security officials killed in Druze-majority areas around the capital on Wednesday

At least 11 civilians and security officials were killed in ongoing clashes in a town near Damascus on Wednesday, state media reported, the second consecutive day of fighting in Druze-majority areas around Syria's capital.

Reports said fighting had started overnight in the town of Ashrafiah Sahnaya, south-west of Damascus, after unknown gunmen attacked a security checkpoint. An attack on the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana a day earlier left at least 10 people dead, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.