Violent clashes occurred near Damascus, resulting in at least nine deaths and numerous injuries. The unrest began after the circulation of an audio clip allegedly from a Druse cleric insulting Prophet Muhammad, which the cleric and local Druse leaders denied. Escalating public anger led to demonstrations and shelling in the suburb of Jaramana. Local Druse authorities blamed the government for the violence, while the Syrian Interior Ministry sought to calm tensions, asserting the cleric's non-involvement. The situation remains volatile, with reports of incited violence spreading to other cities.
The violence erupted overnight from Monday to Tuesday in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, which has a large population from the minority Druse sect.
The audio clip set off demonstrations in a number of other cities, with some of the protesters inciting violence against the Druse, according to the Observatory.
Local Druse religious authorities in the city said in a statement that they held the government fully responsible for what happened and any worsening of the situation.
The Syrian Interior Ministry said that its initial findings showed that the cleric was not responsible and appealed for calm.
Collection
[
|
...
]