Escalating Sectarian Violence in Sahnaya, a Suburb of Damascus, Syria
Skirmishes erupted last night around sundown between the Syrian General Security Forces and heavily-armed Druze residents in Sahnaya, a city south of Damascus.
Witnesses giving accounts to the German Press Agency (DPA) claim the violence started close to the Ashrafiyat Sahnaya bridge on the Damascus-Daraa highway. Eyewitnesses reported that as the security forces stormed central Sahnaya, the exchange of heavy gunfire and rocket bursts intensified, eventually reaching neighborhoods predominantly occupied by Druze residents.
Residents expressed their despair, stating that both fear and destruction are rampant within the city due to the relentless rounds of bullets and shelling.
Meanwhile, Israeli surveillance planes have been flying over Damascus' skies, with residents reporting the telltale hum of these aircraft in the air.
The nearby city of Jaramana, also part of Damascus' suburbs, has finally managed to restore a sense of tranquility, following the Syrian Ministry of Defence's intervention, which established a security perimeter around the area. Just like the elders of Sahnaya and government officials, interveners from Jaramana succeeded in quelling the hostilities after a series of clashes resulted in fatalities.
In one bizarre piece of news, the resting place of Syria's former dictator Hafez al-Assad was targeted, resulting in his remains being relocated to an unknown location. Prior to this, the tomb in Qardaha, Altakia, was vandalized, resembling a flaming crater[1][2][4].
The Assads have forged a political dynasty in Altakia province, making this incident a significant development. However, the identities of those responsible for the exhumation and the relocation of al-Assad's remains continue to remain shrouded in mystery. It is speculated that this operation was carried out by opposition groups or armed factions opposed to the Assad regime[2][3].
- The government has reportedly issued a statement regarding the skirmishes in Sahnaya, condemning the violence and urging for peace.
- The United Nations (UN) has intervened, calling for an immediate ceasefire and dispatching a team to investigate the ongoing conflict in Sahnaya.
- With the escalating violence in Damascus, the general news is dominated by reports of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, overshadowing regular news like politics and sport.
- The heavily-armed Druze residents in Sahnaya have refused to acknowledge the government's claim that the conflict was initiated by them, instead, they accuse the government forces of instigating the violence.
- An official from the Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed the presence of their surveillance planes over Damascus, stating they were maintaining security and monitoring the situation, not intervening in the internal affairs of Syria.
- As the conflict in Sahnaya continues, news of fatalities is increasing, causing widespread concern and calls for urgent intervention from the international community.
- Amidst the chaos in Damascus, the nearby city of Jaramana is trying to maintain normalcy, with the local government working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
- The strange incident involving the exhumation and relocation of former dictator Hafez al-Assad's remains has sparked a wave of speculation and conspiracy theories, adding another layer of complexity to the already intricate politics of war-and-conflicts in Syria.
