Local leader in Suwayda survives assassination attempt
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Sheikh Laith al-Balous, the leader of the Men of Dignity Movement, survived an assassination attempt on Saturday evening, in the town of al-Mazraa in the western countryside of Suwayda, southern Syria.
The Men of Dignity Movement is a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend the Suwayda region. It took an opposing stance against the Syrian government in the early days of the war but did not engage in any armed struggle against government forces.
A local source told North Press that unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on Laith al-Balous’ vehicle, wounding him in the thigh.
The source added that al-Balous was accompanied by his wife and mother inside the vehicle when the incident took place.
Al-Balous was taken to a hospital in Suwayda city to receive treatment, and medical sources confirmed to North Press that the injury “is not serious and there is no need for concern.”
Laith al-Balous is the son of the founder of the Men of Dignity Movement, Wahid al-Balous, who was assassinated in early September 2015.