The city of Jaramana in rural Damascus witnessed armed clashes that lasted for hours, following the spread of an audio recording on social media that contained insults towards the prophet Muhammad, attributed to a Druze community leader, a claim that the leader himself later denied.
The problem began in university housing in Homs on the evening of Sunday, April 27, when some students attacked other students from the Druze community following the spread of the audio recording. However, the authorities stated that they contained the situation and arrested those involved in the attacks.
After hours, the problem extended to the outskirts of the capital Damascus, as armed groups attacked the cities of Jaramana and Sahnaya in response to the spread of the audio recording as well.
For its part, the Syrian Ministry of Interior stated on Tuesday, April 29, that it had launched intensive investigations regarding the circulated audio recording, and initial investigations proved that the person to whom the recording was attributed was not the actual voice in the recording.
The ministry called for adherence to public order and refraining from any individual or collective actions that would disturb public security or infringe upon lives and properties, emphasizing its commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
The news page “al-Raased” reported via Facebook that the city of Jaramana was attacked by armed groups, resulting in the death of six people and injuries to 15 others.
It added, in a separate post this morning, that the General Security Forces of the Ministry of Interior worked to disperse and contain the clashes, while some gunfire continued to be heard from the direction of the al-Malihah axis.
Enab Baladi monitored the continued closure of the main entrances to the city of Jaramana, while intermittent gunfire could still be heard from the al-Malihah axis to the east of the city.
Two civilians from Jaramana, currently residing there, reported that two shells fell in the city about an hour ago, but it remains unclear where they landed or what damage they caused.
Statements
Following the clashes, the spiritual authority of the Druze community in Jaramana issued a statement condemning the audio recording that was circulated on social media, which contained insults towards the prophet Muhammad.
The statement, which Enab Baladi reviewed, said: “We consider the fabricated audio clip regarding this matter (as confirmed by the Ministry of Interior’s statement) a project of sedition and an attempt to create division among the people of the same nation.”
The statement condemned the armed attack on Jaramana, in which various types of weapons were used, targeting civilians.
The authority also noted that the majority of those injured or killed from the city were members of the General Security Forces and were in their work locations when they were ambushed by “the hand of treachery and aggression.”
It called on official authorities to address the public and clarify the circumstances of the event, and to stop campaigns of incitement and betrayal that exacerbate the situation.
The authority held the government fully responsible for what happened and for any subsequent developments or escalation of the crisis.
For his part, Sheikh of the Druze community in Syria, Youssef al-Jarbou’, considered in a video statement that the recent tension is “a sedition being worked on by various parties that have an interest in dividing Syria.”
Sheikh Marwan Kiwan, who was attributed with the audio recording, denied that the voice was his, stating in a video recorded today, “My voice is different, compare it to the alleged recording.”
He added, “The one who created this sedition is an evil man who wants to sow division among all segments of the Syrian people.”
Security tension in Jaramana
Several local military factions are spread in the city of Jaramana. With the outbreak of clashes between opposition factions and the ousted regime’s forces, the Jaramana factions expelled the regime’s forces from the city at the end of last year and settled there.
Over time, these factions rejected the entry of the Syrian army and entrenched themselves in the city, which prompted the Syrian government to deploy military forces towards the area, threatening to storm it, following a problem that arose between members of the General Security Forces and the city factions.
Mediations from dignitaries, religious men, and military factions in As-Suwayda played a role in preventing clashes in Jaramana, and the General Security Forces entered the city peacefully without confrontations.
During the security tension between the local factions in Jaramana and the Syrian government forces, Israel has repeatedly hinted that it would intervene militarily to protect the people of Jaramana in case the Syrian government attempted to storm the area.
Audio recording sparks clashes in Jaramana Enab Baladi.
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