At least 16 civilians and security personnel have been killed in ongoing clashes between Druze militias and government forces near Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), marking the second consecutive day of violence in Druze-majority areas around the capital.
Reports on Wednesday stated that fighting erupted overnight in the town of Ashrafiah Sahnaya, southwest of Damascus, following an attack by unidentified gunmen on a security checkpoint.
A day earlier, clashes in the Druze-populated suburb of Jaramana left at least 13 dead and more than 15 wounded, according to Syrian state media and local sources.
The clashes began after an audio recording deemed insulting to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad circulated, sparking outrage among government forces. Although the recording was initially attributed to Druze cleric Sheikh Marwan Kiwan, the Syrian Interior Ministry later stated that preliminary investigations indicated he was not responsible.
Israel, which had earlier warned it would intervene if the Druze community were attacked, carried out a drone strike on Wednesday to prevent further assaults. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strike as a “warning operation” targeting an “extremist group” planning an attack on Druze civilians.
A source from Syria’s Interior Ministry told Reuters that the strike targeted security personnel linked to the Syrian interim government, resulting in one fatality.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrikes, saying the country rejects “all forms of foreign intervention” and remained committed to protecting “the noble Druze sect.”
The Druze make up about 3% of Syria’s population. They have historically kept a degree of autonomy under the regime of Assad in exchange for support during the civil war. Though less closely tied to the regime than the Alawites, the Druze have also been targeted by jihadist groups in the past.
Recent violence has renewed fears of sectarian conflict in Syria. In March, over 1,500 Alawite civilians were reportedly killed in attacks involving Syria’s own security forces, according to SOHR.
