11 Killed in Renewed Clashes Near Damascus as Violence Spreads

At least 11 people have been confirmed dead following fresh clashes in a suburb of Damascus, Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the violence began late Tuesday when armed groups launched coordinated attacks on civilians and security forces in Sahnaya, a city located south of the capital. The attackers reportedly opened fire on civilian vehicles and public security units and later stormed a checkpoint in the area.

Eyewitnesses told dpa that the assailants used machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, damaging homes and vehicles and causing widespread panic among residents.

Security forces responded by advancing into the centre of Sahnaya under heavy fire, attempting to secure Druze-dominated neighbourhoods in the city, one resident added.

The deadly unrest follows similar violence in Jaramana, another suburb of Damascus, where at least 17 people were killed a day earlier. The clashes there were reportedly triggered by the circulation of an audio recording that insulted the Prophet Mohammed.

The voice in the recording was allegedly identified as a member of the Druze community, sparking sectarian tensions and deadly confrontations between Druze and other groups.

Syria’s Interior Ministry stated on Tuesday that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the recording. Meanwhile, Druze leaders in Jaramana have denounced the audio as fake and aimed at inciting unrest.

Since the December overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad, the new Islamist-led government has pledged national unity and inclusion. However, sporadic and deadly clashes continue to undermine stability.

In March, heavy fighting between security forces aligned with the new government and Assad loyalists in Syria’s western coastal region reportedly left hundreds dead, further highlighting the fragility of the country’s transition.