Syria: Six Druze killed by Muslims following the circulation of a fake video falsely showing a Druze leader criticizing Muhammad

Image: Jihad Watch

At least 12 people have been killed in a militant attack on the Druze-majority suburb of Jaramana in Damascus, marking the latest wave of sectarian violence in Syria.

Fifteen others were injured in the assault on Tuesday, according to residents and members of the Druze religious community. This attack adds to a series of assaults on minority groups in Syria since the removal of former president Bashar Al Assad in December of last year.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, it is believed to have originated from nearby districts controlled by pro-government militant factions. These groups are allied with Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, the rebel organization once linked to Al Qaeda that played a central role in the overthrow of Assad.

The attack follows the circulation of a deepfake video over the past two days, showing Syrian Druze Sheikh Marwan Kiwan allegedly denouncing the Prophet Mohammed. Druze spiritual leaders, as well as Muslims nationwide, condemned the video, calling it an effort to incite sectarian conflict. The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that the voice in the video was not that of Sheikh Kiwan and vowed to investigate the source of the altered footage, promising "strict punishment" for those responsible.

Ahmad Al Zuaiter, a notable resident of Jaramana, reported that militants from the Ghouta region launched mortar fire into the district overnight and attempted to breach a checkpoint known as Al Nassem, manned by Druze members of the newly established local police force.

Among the dead were six Druze, most of whom were police officers, while the remainder were attackers, according to Al Zuaiter.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)