Journalist Kidnapped After Being Shot in Southern Syria

Unidentified gunmen shot and kidnapped journalist Murhaf al-Shaer in Sweida province on Tuesday. A local official blamed the "National Guard" militia for the attack. The militia's motives are unknown. In a statement to Syria's state news agency, SANA, media official Qutaiba Azzam condemned the kidnapping. He said the militia is fully responsible for al-Shaer's safety. The journalist's current condition and location are not known. The so-called National Guard is one of many armed groups operating in southern Syria.