At least two members of the Syrian security forces were killed in clashes that broke out after an audio recording insulting the Prophet Muhammad was circulated.
Clashes erupted on Tuesday morning between Syrian security forces and armed groups in the Damascus countryside area of Jaramana, killing several people, including members of the security services, and wounding more than 15.
At least two members of the public security were killed, Syria TV reported, while The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, cited local sources as saying that at least six other people were killed.
Local sources named some of the deceased as Shadi al-Atrash, Sheikh Diaa al-Sheikh, Riad Baakar and Lujain Azouz.
Exchanges of fire have taken place between armed groups and security forces at various checkpoints, most notably the Naseem checkpoint and the Maliha area.
Footage posted to social media shows shells hitting residential neighbourhoods, including the Turbah neighbourhood.
Ongoing clashes
The clashes in Jaramana, a city with a significant Druze population, come days after an audio recording attributed to a person from the Druze-majority province of Suweida went viral, in which insults are directed towards the Prophet Muhammad and other Islamic religious figures.
The recording sparked waves of protests in several cities, which later escalated into armed clashes.
Druze leader Sheikh Marwan Kiwan was accused of being behind the recording, however, he denied any involvement and described it as “fabricated”.
Syria’s Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday it is investigating the recording, saying that links between the clip and those accused of producing it have not been proven.
The ministry emphasised the importance of upholding public order and urged citizens not to be drawn into disturbances.
Muslim and Druze religious authorities in Suweida, Daraa and Damascus quickly issued condemnations of the audio recording, warning against attempts to “ignite sectarian strife”.
Sheikh Youssef Jarbou, one of three Sheikhs al-Aql of the Syrian Druze community, called for “national unity” and warned against “foreign agendas seeking to divide Syrians”.
The Druze spiritual council in Jaramana issued a statement holding authorities fully responsible for the escalations and demanded “the disclosure of the facts and an end to the incitement campaigns”. The council also condemned the actions of the armed groups who had attacked members of the security forces.
It also condemned the armed attack on the city, asserting that most of the victims were members of the General Security who “were at work when they were subjected to treachery.”
While many activists and officials have tried to ease tensions, inflammatory rhetoric has spread on social media, with many fearing further escalations.
