Tensions have escalated in the Damascus area, resulting in clashes that reportedly killed 14 people. Among the deceased are seven local Druze Muslims, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The clashes occurred on Monday night in the Jaramana area near Damascus, involving factions referred to as "the al-Murtada group".
The clashes reportedly erupted following the circulation of an audio recording attributed to a Druze individual containing insults against the Prophet Muhammad. France Press could not independently verify the authenticity of the recording. Local sources reported sporadic incidents of gunfire and roadblocks throughout the night, with some shops and homes being set ablaze.
Amidst the unrest, officials from the Rif Dimashq Governorate and religious figures convened to seek a resolution. They aimed to "reach an agreement to contain the escalation," according to Rabie Munther, a member of the popular reconciliation committee in Jaramana. The agreement, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), included a "commitment to work on holding accountable those who promote sedition and work on presenting them to fair justice".