Authorities in Syria have assured a thorough investigation into clashes that are said to have resulted in 13 fatalities in a town close to Damascus, which is largely populated by the country’s Druze minority.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry announced that it would pursue those responsible for the sectarian hostility.
Despite calling for national cohesion and inclusivity, rebels who led the revolt that overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December have struggled to maintain security for the country’s minorities.
An audio clip that attacked the Prophet Muhammad was released on social media overnight, which led to the clashes. A Druze leader was responsible for the recording.
The predominantly Sunni town of Jaramana was attacked by a group of residents from nearby Maliha and other predominantly Sunni towns.
Security forces “went to break up the clashes and protect the residents,” according to the Interior Ministry, who reported casualties as a result of “intermittent clashes between groups of gunmen.”
In a statement, it stated that “we are eager to pursue those who are responsible” and that we will hold them accountable.
According to ministry spokesman Mustafa al-Abdo, two members of Syria’s new security force, which is made up primarily of former rebels, were among those killed.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in the United Kingdom, six Druze fighters from Jaramana and three “attackers” were also killed.
The Druze community in Jaramana condemned the audio recording, saying it was made “to incite sedition and sow division among the people of the same nation.” In a statement, the community there denounced the “unjustified armed attack.”
In the video statement, Druze leader Marwan Kiwan stated, “I categorically refute the claim that the audio was made by me.” “I did not say that, and the person who wrote it is an evil man who wants to stir up conflict among the Syrian people.”
The Interior Ministry called for calm and said it was looking into where the voice recording came from.
Bloodshed
With minorities already enthralled by the horrific bloodshed last month, the clash only serves to heighten sectarian tension in Syria.
In the northern regions of Tartous and Latakia governorates, hundreds of people were killed in a series of vigilante attacks after al-Assad’s loyalists clashed with security forces in March.
The Druze, an Arab minority who practiced a religion that was originally derived from Islam, arm themselves to defend their communities during the nearly 14-year civil war that characterized al-Assad’s assassination.
Source: Aljazeera
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