The Syrian defence ministry said on Tuesday it was aware of reports of "shocking violations" by people wearing military fatigues in the country's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, and said it would launch an investigation.

Relatives and officials say a Syrian-American man of the Druze religious minority is among dozens of civilians killed in sectarian clashes in southern Syria.

A Syrian-American who was taking care of his ill father was among the eight Druze men kidnapped from their family home and “executed’ in the middle of the street, harrowing video shows.

Members of the Syrian American community in Portland are grieving the loss of loved ones following attacks in southern Syria.

Sweida recently faced intense sectarian clashes involving Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces, drawing in Israel and leading to over 300 deaths. The Syrian defense ministry announced investigations into alleged human rights violations.

Video circulating online and verified by NBC News showed Hosam Saraya, 35, and six male relatives being made to kneel before they were gunned down.

Syrian interior ministry forces began deploying in Sweida on Saturday under a US-brokered deal intended to avert further Israeli military intervention in the Druze-majority province.Israel had bombed defence ministry forces in both Sweida and Damascus earlier this week to force their withdrawal after they were accused of summary executions and other abuses against Druze civilians during their brief deployment in the southern province.

Syria's southern city of Sweida witnesses a fragile ceasefire after deadly battles between Druze militiamen and Bedouin fighters. The conflict displaced over 128,000 people. While evacuation efforts are underway,