Syrian authorities launched a sweeping security operation in the Damascus countryside over the last 48 hours following deadly attacks by armed terrorist groups, vowing to protect civilians and restore stability across the region regardless of sectarian affiliation.
The Interior Ministry said Wednesday that 16 General Security personnel were killed in violent confrontations with what it termed “outlaw groups” operating in Ashrafieh Sahnaya, southwest of the capital. The clashes, which erupted after a convoy of armed militants attempted to enter nearby Jaramana, marked a sharp escalation in violence already inflamed by the circulation of a controversial audio message insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Security officials confirmed that the recording—wrongly attributed to a member of the Druze community—had been manipulated to incite sectarian unrest. In response, the Syrian state emphasized its commitment to safeguarding all citizens, including Druze communities, and to rejecting any provocations that could fracture the nation’s social fabric.
“Attacks on any segment of the Syrian people will be met with full force,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hussam al-Tahhan, head of the Damascus Countryside Security Directorate. He confirmed that General Security forces had launched a full-scale combing campaign in Ashrafieh Sahnaya, targeting militant strongholds and arresting several suspects.
Spreading Terror and Chaos
Ali Al-Rifai, director of public relations at the Ministry of Information, reported that armed groups using light weapons and RPGs attacked multiple security checkpoints, opened fire on a civilian vehicle from Daraa—killing six passengers—and occupied rooftops to snipe at security personnel. “The General Security acted swiftly to regain control and ensure the safety of the population,” he said.
Authorities also imposed a curfew and closed key highways linking Damascus to Suwayda and Daraa to prevent further infiltration of armed groups. The old Daraa road was kept open under heavy security escort to allow safe civilian passage.
The Interior Ministry affirmed it “will strike with an iron fist anyone who seeks to destabilize Syria’s security and target its people.” State forces, backed by armored vehicles and drone surveillance, continued operations into Thursday to dismantle what officials called “terrorist bases” used for staging attacks on both residents and law enforcement.
Protecting all of Syria’s People
Despite the sectarian undertones of the recent violence, the Syrian government emphasized its non-discriminatory approach. “Our duty is to protect the nation and all its people, regardless of religion or background,” said al-Tahhan, who also urged armed individuals to surrender and called on residents to report suspicious activity.
Officials said they have used all available dialogue channels to avoid further bloodshed and that cooperation with local notables already defused tension in several districts. “Dialogue has proven successful in multiple cases,” Al-Rifai added, “but we will not allow chaos or the unchecked spread of weapons.”
The government’s message remains clear: restoring stability, preserving unity, and resisting foreign or domestic efforts to fracture the Syrian state are paramount.
