Overview

• Clashes erupted in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana after a fake audio clip insulting Prophet Muhammad was falsely attributed to a Druze cleric, killing 13 people on April 29.
• Violence spread to Sahnaya on April 30, where 11 more people were killed, and heavy fighting persisted despite security reinforcements and curfews.
• Israel conducted airstrikes against an extremist group it claimed was preparing to attack Druze communities in Sahnaya, reiterating its commitment to protecting the minority group.
• Syria’s Interior Ministry confirmed the audio clip was fabricated and is investigating its origins, while warning it would take strong action against those inciting unrest.
• The new Islamist-led Syrian government continues to struggle with integrating militias and preventing sectarian violence, following the December 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad.