Clashes Between Druze and Sunni Militants Near Damascus Result in Fatalities

Violence erupted in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, resulting in at least ten fatalities during clashes between armed members of the Druze minority and pro-government Sunni fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, reported the death toll, while the activist group Suwaida 24 indicated that eleven people had died and twelve others sustained injuries.

The conflict was reportedly sparked by a controversial audio recording that allegedly insulted the Islamic Prophet Mohammed. Activists attributed the recording to a Druze cleric, Marwan Kiwan. Following its circulation, fighting broke out in the predominantly Druze area of Jaramana. Kiwan denied any involvement in creating the clip, labeling the individual behind it as malicious and intent on inciting discord among the Syrian populace. The newly established Syrian transitional government's Interior Ministry also stated that initial investigations revealed no connection between Kiwan and the recording, promising that those responsible would be held accountable.

According to security officials, the clashes began late Monday night when armed individuals from several predominantly Sunni areas invaded Jaramana, which is mainly inhabited by Druze. However, a spokesperson from the Interior Ministry claimed that no attack had occurred in the city. Reports suggest that groups of civilians angered by the recording organized a protest, which was allegedly met with gunfire from Druze factions.

The Interior Ministry indicated that among the deceased were two members of a newly formed security unit composed mainly of former rebels opposed to the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The Observatory reported that six residents of Jaramana and four attackers were killed. The ministry urged citizens to remain calm and not let emotions lead to violence, while Druze community leaders condemned the audio recording but criticized the unwarranted armed assault on Jaramana and the government's failure to prevent it.

In recent weeks, Jaramana has witnessed multiple confrontations between armed Syrian Druze and security forces. The Druze community is a sect of Shia Islam that originated in the 10th century, with approximately one million Druze worldwide, half of whom reside in Syria. This minority group, along with other ethnic and cultural minorities, harbors mistrust towards the transitional government, accusing the new rulers of failing to protect them from hostile militias.

The downfall of the Assad regime due to a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist militia HTS has raised fears of minority persecution under the new authorities. In March, fighting resulted in hundreds of deaths among the Alawite community, to which Assad belongs, allegedly carried out by regime-friendly forces in retaliation for an uprising attempt by Assad supporters.