Islamist militants attack southern Syria and kill more than 200 – World Coordinated attacks in Sweida province, which included several suicide bombings, shook the calm of a region that was almost always isolated and away from the worst clashes during the seven-year civil war in Syria .

Suicide bombings in the provincial capital, also known as Sweida, have apparently been coordinated to coincide with attacks on villages in the interior of the country, creating chaos throughout the province, according to the agency AP press.

The attacks provoked clashes between pro-government fighters and villagers against EI militants. The villagers also took up arms to defend their cities.
By nightfall, the province's health department has recorded 204 civilian deaths and 180 injuries, according to local official Hassan Omar, becoming the bloodiest day for the province since the 2011 national uprising, which triggered the ongoing civil war.
Bou Ammar, a resident of Shbiki village, said some residents had inadvertently opened their doors when EI activists rushed home Thursday morning, adding that the attack was unexpected.

"They kidnapped more than 40 people, all women and children," said Bou Ammar.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has claimed that at least 183 people have been killed, including 94 villagers who are part of the local defense militias, who are supported by the Syrian government.

At least 45 EI activists were also killed in the fighting.