Clashes in Syria between Bedouin tribes, government forces, and the Druze minority have left dozens dead, raising fears of escalating violence.

A t least 89 people were killed in the southern Syrian province of Sweida as clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters raged for a second day Monday, a monitor said.

The violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said. More than 30 people were killed and 100 injured in armed clashes in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida,