- DAMASCUS — Clashes
intensified in the southern suburbs of Damascus amid rising sectarian unrest,
according to a major monitoring group in Syria.
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- Renewed clashes involving light and medium weapons,
including RPGs, were reported in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, according to the
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
-
- Gunfire and at least one explosion, believed to be caused by
a mortar shell, were reported in Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, prompting the
General Security Directorate to enforce night curfews in both towns.
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- SOHR reported that the death toll from the ongoing violence
had risen to 18, including nine residents from the areas of Jaramana, Sahnaya,
and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, and nine members of pro-government forces.
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- At least 15 others were wounded, with several in critical
condition. The casualty figures are expected to rise due to continued
instability.
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- The clashes followed earlier unrest in Jaramana, reportedly
triggered by the online circulation of an audio recording deemed offensive to
Islam, allegedly made by a member of the Druze community.
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- The incident fueled sectarian tensions across several parts
of Syria, including university cities like Aleppo and Homs, and now appears to
be spreading further, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- In a related development, unidentified gunmen reportedly
targeted al-Thaala military airport in the countryside of the Druze-dominated
Suwayda province with medium weapons and mortar shells, although no casualties
have been confirmed so far. Syrian Ministry of Defence units are stationed at
the base.
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