Damascus, Syria – Syrian security forces clashed with armed men on Wednesday in the southern Damascus suburb of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, in the latest outbreak of violence amid simmering sectarian tensions in the region.
The clashes, which continued sporadically into the day, followed an earlier assault by unidentified armed groups from outside the area, a local source told +963. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attackers were met with resistance from government forces aligned with the transitional Interior Ministry.
“There are no confirmed casualties so far,” the source added.
The violence prompted dozens of residents from Daraa, a southern province, to head toward Sahnaya. They reportedly feared that some of their relatives were trapped during the fighting or being held by local militias.
Related: Sectarian Clashes Erupt Near Damascus Over Blasphemy Audio; 12 Killed
Tensions have been mounting in the greater Damascus area following a deadly episode on Tuesday in the southeastern suburb of Jaramana. At least 12 people were killed, including two members of the government-affiliated General Security, during intense fighting between armed factions.
An Interior Ministry statement linked the unrest in Jaramana to the circulation of a controversial audio recording allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. The statement accused unknown individuals of exploiting the incident to incite violence and promote hate speech online.
Authorities said the security forces were deployed to prevent further escalation and to “preserve social cohesion.” The government also imposed a temporary curfew in Sahnaya, which has since been lifted.
In response to the unrest, community leaders in Suwayda province, home to a large Druze population, convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The gathering included top Druze religious figures and Christian representatives. Attendees condemned the violence and rejected attempts to stir sectarian discord.
Read also: U.S. Presses Syria’s Interim Authorities to Uphold Transparency, Reject Terrorism
“The message was clear: religion is for God, and the nation is for all,” said one participant to +963.
Syria has witnessed an uptick in localized violence in recent months, often sparked by criminal disputes, political grievances, or sectarian provocations. While large-scale conflict has subsided since the height of the civil war, the fragmented security landscape continues to pose risks of flare-ups.
