Damascus, 29 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Twenty-two people have been killed in clashes in a town on the outskirts of Damascus, as armed groups attacked civilians and security forces, a monitoring group said on Wednesday.

"Sixteen members of the Syrian security forces were killed and six members of the Druze community were killed in the clashes," the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Rami Abdel Rahman, told dpa.

In the evening, the head of the Damascus Rural Security Directorate announced that the "security operations" in Sahnaya had ended. Security forces had been deployed in all parts of the city. Eyewitnesses had previously reported that the city had been sealed off by government troops.

Earlier, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said 11 people had been killed.

Second day of conflict 

Since late Tuesday, armed groups have been firing on civilian and public security vehicles on the roads, while other assailants attacked a checkpoint in the town of Sahnaya, to the south of the capital, SANA reported.

Residents told dpa that machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had caused damage to homes and cars, and left many residents frightened for their safety.

Security forces advanced to the centre of Sahnaya amid heavy gunfire in order to reach Druze-dominated neighbourhoods in the city, one resident said.

"The Syrian security forces were using Shaheen drones to hit areas inside Sahnaya," residents inside the town cordoned off by the security sources told dpa.

According to the SOHR, government forces, backed by the ministries of defence and interior as well as allied paramilitary units, have tightened their control over key areas inside the neighbouring town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya.

At the same time, a strict security cordon was imposed on Sahnaya, with all entry and exit routes sealed off — effectively cutting the town off.

Audio recording sparked clashes

The clashes in Sahnaya came one day after violence erupted in the town of Jaramana, also near Damascus, sparked by an audio recording of a person insulting the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

At least 17 were killed in the Jaramana clashes, according to the UK-based Syrian rights organization.

The recording was attributed to a member of the Druze community, sparking clashes between members of the Druze community and other groups.

The recording's author has not yet been determined, but the Interior Ministry is investigating. A statement from the Druze community in Jaramana said the recording was fabricated to incite sedition.

Both the Syrian Interior Ministry and the Druze community said the Druze community member accused of making the recording had no connection to it.

Since the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria's new Islamist leadership has called for unity and promised inclusivity, but deadly violence has repeatedly broken out.

In March, clashes erupted between Syrian security forces under the country’s new authorities and gunmen loyal to al-Assad in Syria’s western coastal region, leaving hundreds dead.

Political Analyst and Syria expert, Nizar Ghanem, warned that the situation in Syria is "serious."

"It shows that the transitional government is still unable to control the grounds,"  he said.

Many Druze were close to al-Assad

The Druze are a religious minority that today is primarily located in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

In their respective countries, their members value internal cohesion and loyalty to their respective states.

In Israel, many Druze volunteer in the army.

During the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, many Druze in Syria were close to the government,

Israel sees Druze as allies, launches warning operation

Meanwhile, a joint statement by the Israeli prime minister and defence minister stated that the Israeli military had conducted a "warning operation" in Syria against an "extremist group" that was preparing an attack on the Druze in Sahnaya.

Israel, which views the Druze as allies, "expects Syria to take measures to protect the Druze," the statement read.

Injured Druze evacuated to Israel

Late on Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli army said it had evacuated three Syrian-Druze citizens for medical treatment at the Xiv Medical Center in Safed. It continues to monitor the situation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Syrian government sources confirmed to dpa that a Syrian soldier was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the early afternoon.

The Syrian Observatory reported that several people were also injured.

At least two Israeli strikes hit the outskirts of Sahnaya, said the Observatory's director, Rami Abdel-Rahman.

The Israeli military stated that the air force targeted individuals outside Damascus who had attacked Druze.

The military had been ordered to prepare for attacks on Syrian government targets if violence against the Druze community continued.

According to local residents, Israeli warplanes continued to fly over the city.

Syria condemns all foreign interference

Meanwhile, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong statement rejecting all forms of foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs. The statement comes in response to recent calls by groups outside Syria, which the ministry accused of being involved in violent actions and of making unlawful demands under the guise of “international protection.”

Such calls are illegitimate and aimed at undermining Syrian sovereignty, the ministry said. It emphasized that any internal challenges should be addressed strictly within the framework of national institutions and legal processes. It said it is committed to protecting all segments of its society, including the Druze community, describing them as an integral part of the national fabric.

Political Analyst and Syria expert Ghanem stressed that Israel's interference in southern Syria shows a potential intention to control the area using the excuse of protecting minorities.

Photo: MIA Archive