Clashes Persist in Syria’s Damascus Countryside Despite Ceasefire

By Staff, Agencies

Clashes continued to intensify across southern Syria this week, particularly in the Damascus countryside, despite the announcement of a preliminary ceasefire in select areas.

According to reports, fighting erupted overnight on Thursday on the Kanaker front. Heavy gunfire and mortar shelling struck the village.

By dawn, local factions reportedly repelled an armed assault by militant groups, successfully halting the offensive although intermittent gunfire persisted.

The latest confrontation follows several days of deadly unrest in southern Damascus. On Tuesday, violence broke out between government-backed armed groups and local residents in Jarmana and Ashrafiyet Sahnaya, resulting in approximately 70 fatalities. The dead included civilians, armed factions, and members of Syria’s General Security Force.

As the security situation deteriorated, authorities announced a ceasefire agreement in Jarmana and Ashrafiyet Sahnaya late Wednesday. The announcement followed a high-level meeting involving governors from the Damascus countryside, al-Suwayda, and Quneitra, along with Druze sheikhs from Sahnaya.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa accused "Israel" of taking advantage of the internal instability. “'Israel' is trying to play the sectarian card to gain a foothold in Syria as part of its ongoing plans,” he warned.

Mustafa reaffirmed that “Syrian Druze are an inseparable part of Syria and have contributed significantly at many pivotal moments in the country’s history.”

The situation remains tense, as local communities and authorities work to contain the violence and prevent further external interference in Syria’s internal affairs.