Syrian disputes in Druze settlements near Damascus ignite apprehensions about fresh communal strife.
Updates on the Ongoing Sectarian Clashes in Damascus Suburbs
The bloody chaos continues to unfold in the Damascus suburb of Sahnaya. Wednesdays saw another round of violence-fueled clashes in this predominantly Druze city, approximately 12 kilometers southwest of the Syrian capital. According to official reports from the Syrian news agency SANA, over a dozen people lost their lives in these clashes. Lama Alhassanieh, a journalist and former professor at Damascus University, who resides in this suburb, confirms that the neighborhood is now under lockdown. Tensions were already running high the previous day, with skirmishes taking place in both Sahnaya and Jaramana, another Damascus suburb.
On Tuesday dawn, Jaramana awoke to the deafening sound of gunfire. mystery armed groups infiltrated this city adjacent to Damascus and exchanged fire with local security forces. Eyad Alsharany, a lawyer and resident of Jaramana, reported that initial skirmishes broke out late at night before escalating into violent clashes at dawn. Jaramana, a city with a predominantly Druze population and a mix of Christians and Sunni Muslims, is under the control of militiamen hailing from this religious minority, as well as members of the general security directorate of the Ministry of the Interior.
Backstory
The clashes were ignited by a controversial audio recording allegedly defaming Prophet Mohammed, which spread like wildfire on social media. The recording was attributed to a Druze leader, Marwan Keewan, who denies any involvement in the matter. Though the Syrian government conducted an investigation, they found no definitive link between the accused individual and the recording.
Casualty ReportDuring the skirmishes in Sahnaya, at least 13-14 individuals lost their lives (11 security forces, 2 Druze fighters) and 15 were injured. In Jaramana, earlier clashes in March claimed the lives of two security personnel, while the latest flare-up in April has led to at least 18 fatalities (reported in one instance), although casualty figures vary.
Current StatusSyrian forces have sealed off Jaramana and have moved into the Druze-majority neighborhoods of Sahnaya, claiming to "restore security." The IDF conducted airstrikes on an "extremist group" threatening the Druze community in Sahnaya, urging Damascus to ensure their protection. Residents of both cities report property damage, movement restrictions, and lingering fear despite government promises of restored peace. Tensions remain high, with armed groups preventing civilian movement in Jaramana, while Israeli reconnaissance aircraft continue to monitor the area.
Negotiation AttemptsTemporary negotiations between local Druze leaders and the Ministry of Interior managed to cool tensions somewhat in March, but the April escalation remains unresolved.
- On Tuesday, the Damascus suburb of Jaramana experienced a renewal of violent clashes, as mystery armed groups infiltrated the city and exchanged fire with local security forces, echoing events from the previous day in another Damascus suburb, Sahnaya.
- The ongoing sectarian clashes in the Damascus suburbs of Sahnaya and Jaramana have resulted in a significant number of casualties, with at least 18 fatalities reported in Jaramana from the latest flare-up in April, according to varying reports.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts-ridden landscape, both cities have been under movement restrictions, with residents reporting property damage and lingering fear despite assurances of restored peace.
- Politics and general news headlines continue to revolve around the escalating clashes in the Damascus suburbs, as international parties, such as the Israeli government, step in to address the threat to the Druze community and call for greater protection and security.
