At least 14 dead in sectarian clashes near Damascus as authorities consider curfew

DAMASCUS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and more than 15 others injured in sectarian clashes in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Tuesday. In response, authorities imposed heightened security measures and said a citywide curfew was under consideration to prevent further violence.

The fighting erupted late Monday and escalated into the early hours of Tuesday between local armed groups and unidentified gunmen who entered the area. The clashes were reportedly sparked by the online circulation of an audio recording deemed offensive to Islam, allegedly made by a member of the Druze community.

The recording provoked widespread outrage on social media and triggered retaliatory attacks in Jaramana, a suburb predominantly inhabited by Druze and Christian communities.

According to SOHR, the violence quickly spread across the district as local fighters engaged "other militant groups" infiltrating Jaramana. Seven of those killed were local residents, while the remaining seven were aligned with the Syrian military forces. At least 15 others were wounded, several critically.

Eyewitnesses told SOHR that both light and medium weapons were used in the clashes, along with artillery fire from the nearby al-Naseem district. Residential neighborhoods were hit, causing panic among civilians and prompting many families to flee the area, fearing a resurgence of sectarian violence.

By Tuesday morning, security forces had encircled Jaramana and deployed reinforcements in an effort to restore order. Officials confirmed that an investigation had been launched to identify the source of the controversial recording, and said a curfew was being considered. Authorities pledged to prosecute those responsible for inciting unrest.

In a statement, the Druze religious leadership in Jaramana condemned the audio recording as a "fabrication" intended to provoke violence. They denounced the overnight assault as "unjustified" and placed "full responsibility" for the incident and its potential escalation on the Syrian authorities.

SOHR also reported rising tensions in other mixed-sectarian areas, including Aleppo and Homs, raising fears of a broader regional spillover.

By Tuesday evening, a tense calm had reportedly returned to Jaramana. A local resident told Xinhua that streets were largely deserted, with drones -- believed to be operated by Syria's military forces -- seen patrolling overhead.

The latest outbreak follows weeks of growing friction between Druze fighters and Syrian military forces in southern Damascus, underscoring the persistent sectarian fault lines threatening Syria's already fragile security environment. Enditem