Clashes in Daramsuq suburbs of Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and leave 30 dead, heighten sectarian tensions in Syria

DARAMSOUQ — The delicate sectarian balance in Syria has been further destabilized following violent clashes in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, two towns south of Daramsuq (Damascus). The unrest, which began late Monday and persisted into Tuesday, has claimed 30 lives and injured at least 15, according to local reports. The confrontations, involving Druze fighters and Sunni militias, and eventually forces affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), have intensified fears of further escalation.

In Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, the death toll has risen to 13, including 11 STG forces members and two Druze fighters. The violence reportedly started when an armed convoy attempted to enter Jaramana, sparking confrontations at security checkpoints. The clashes quickly spread, affecting areas such as the Arab Bank district and near al-Suwaid Mosque, with heavy and medium weapons used. Civilians have been caught in the crossfire, with reports of varying degrees of injuries.

Meanwhile, in Jaramana, the death toll has reached 17, including 10 members of STG-affiliated forces — believed to include Sunni militias based on banners and chants documented during the clashes — and seven Druze fighters. The violence has been linked to the circulation of a controversial audio recording attributed to a Druze community member, which has exacerbated sectarian tensions throughout the country.

In response to the escalating unrest, the STG’s Ministry of Interior has imposed a curfew in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and Jaramana. Security forces have sealed off entrances to the towns and set up checkpoints in an attempt to contain the violence. Despite these measures, the situation remains volatile, with reports of sniper attacks and armed groups targeting security personnel.

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, condemned the violence in a strongly worded statement. “We pray for our innocent sons who were martyred in Jaramana at the hands of treachery and Takfiri terrorist gangs, and we condemn these abhorrent terrorist attacks on innocent and secure people,” he said. Sheikh al-Hijri also criticized the ongoing political impasse, citing the lack of progress in drafting a constitution or holding a free and inclusive popular conference. “We are still under the yoke of single-color thought and exclusion,” he added, urging Syrians to reject sectarianism and work toward a state founded on law and citizenship.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported continued violence in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, with intense gunfire and the use of heavy weaponry. Several pro-government fighters’ bodies have reportedly been transported to a mosque in Darayya, underlining the severity of the clashes.

As Syria navigates its transitional period, the events in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and Jaramana highlight the persistent challenges the country faces. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the root causes of sectarian divisions while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all communities.

For many observers, the crisis in these towns serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of Syria’s path toward peace and stability. Whether the nation can overcome its divisions and build a unified future remains an open question.