Dozens Dead as Sectarian Clashes Rock Syrian Capital outskirts

DAMASCUS (The News Pulse) – Over a dozen individuals lost their lives in a series of conflicts that erupted in a mainly Druze village close to Syria’s capital city on Tuesday. The violence was triggered by what has been reported as an audio clip featuring a Druze man allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad, according to statements from rescue teams and security officials. This provoked armed Sunnis, leading to deadly confrontations.

This clash represents the most recent instance of lethal sectarian conflict in Syria, where minority groups have become increasingly anxious since Islamist-backed insurgents overthrew ex-leader Bashar al-Assad in December, setting up their own administration and law enforcement agencies.

These concerns intensified following the murders of numerous Alawites in March, allegedly as retaliation for an assault carried out by supporters of Assad.

Security sources reported that the conflicts started during the night when armed individuals from Maliha—a neighboring town—and other mainly Sunni regions moved towards Jaramana, a predominantly Druze area located southeast of Damascus.

The clash, involving small and medium armaments, resulted in 13 fatalities, as reported by local rescuers.

The deceased included two agents from Syria's General Security Service, a newly formed unit mainly consisting of ex-rebels, as stated by interior ministry spokesman Mustafa al-Abdo.

Abdo refuted the notion that armed assailants had assaulted the town, asserting that irate civilian groups, provoked by the audio recording, organized a demonstration which was met with gunfire from Druze factions.

The Interior Ministry stated they were probing the source of the voice recording and asked for composure, advising citizens to refrain from allowing their feelings to incite aggression or destruction of communal assets.

Syrian security officials stated that Druze community leaders held discussions with law enforcement agencies aiming to avoid further intensification of the situation.

"The comments made by some individuals about our Prophet reflect solely their own views and are not accepted by us or by the entire community," stated Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, the Druze spiritual leader, as he urged both groups to resist attempts to exacerbate intercommunal tensions.

Syrian officials and local Druze leaders from the town concurred on Tuesday afternoon to ensure accountability for those responsible for the assault, as reported by Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA. Additionally, they committed to efforts aimed at decreasing sectarian and intercommunal tensions.

Syria’s prolonged conflict, now lasting almost 14 years, has divided the nation into multiple areas of control. The Druze — an Arabic-speaking minority whose faith stems from Islamic origins but differs significantly — have taken up arms to protect their communities.

The newly formed Islamist administration in Damascus has demanded control over all weaponry, yet the Druze combatants have refused, arguing that Damascus hasn’t ensured their safety against antagonistic extremists.

Local leaders faulted the government for not stopping Tuesday’s assault and cautioned that they will hold the administration accountable for any subsequent consequences.

"The responsibility of maintaining security lies with the authorities," stated Rabei Munzir, a local Druze activist from Jaramana, to The News Pulse.

Israel, as a neighboring country, expressed readiness to step in and assist Syria’s Druze population. Many Druzes also reside within Israel itself and in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights—an area seized from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War.

(Reported by Kinda Makieh and Firas Makdesi; Extra reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din; Written by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Edited by William Maclean)