The conflict began with an audio clip allegedly insulting Islam, attributed to Druze cleric Marwan Kiwan, who distanced himself from the content. Following the clip's circulation, violent uprisings targeting the Druze community occurred, suggesting breakdowns in security control under Syria's interim government. Attackers, some possibly linked to official forces, incited local anger, leading to a siege mentality in Druze areas like Jaramana and Sweida as the community feared for their safety amid armed clashes. Voices from the Druze leadership categorically condemned the audio's malicious intent, marking an escalation in sectarian tensions within the country.
The circulation of the clip led to calls for mobilization to 'defend the Prophet Muhammad's honor,' and accompanying those calls were sentiments directed against the broader Druze community.
In the past few days there was a kind of siege, no exit or entry. We were just sitting at home, afraid.
Whoever made it is evil and wants to incite strife between components of the Syrian people.
Some attackers may well have been connected to the new, interim Syrian government's security forces, but there were likely also angry, armed civilians.
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