Rif Dimashq clashes (April 2025–present)

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Rif Dimashq clashes
Part of the Syrian civil war
Date 28 April 2025 – present Location Jaramana, Sahnaya, and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in Rif Dimashq Governorate, and villages in Suwayda Governorate, Syria Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Syria	Druze armed groups Men of Dignity[1]  Israel[2]
Commanders and leaders
Ahmed al-Sharaa Hossam al-Tahan[3]	Wajdi al-Hajj Ali †[4]
Casualties and losses
30 killed[a][5]	18 Druze armed fighters killed[b][5]
26 Druze civilians killed[c][5]

The Rif Dimashq clashes began on 28 April 2025. The initial clashes erupted in the city of Jaramana following tensions related to the circulation of a controversial audio recording, and quickly escalated to nearby areas of Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, and on 30 April to villages in Suwayda Governorate.

Tensions began after the spread of an offensive audio recording allegedly containing blasphemous content against the Prophet Muhammad. The recording, which was widely attributed to a member of the Druze community, sparked public outrage across the country. The Religious Council of the Druze in Suwayda in swiftly condemned the recording and disavowed the individual, while the Syrian Ministry of Interior launched an official investigation, later confirming that the accused person was not responsible for the recording.^[6]

The first incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on 28 April 2025, when an unidentified group opened fire on a local militia checkpoint near the "Al-Naseem" intersection at the entrance of Jaramana. Gunfire continued and intensified around 4:00 a.m., leading to the deaths of at least two members of the security forces and six residents of the city. Over a dozen others were injured in the initial wave of violence.^[6]

Local factions imposed heightened security measures, erecting checkpoints and restricting movement into and out of the city. A statement circulated on social media, attributed to the residents of Jaramana, condemned the violence and sectarian incitement, while urging official authorities to investigate and punish those responsible.^[6]

On 29 April 2025, clashes expanded to the Druze-majority towns of Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya. Armed groups attacked multiple security checkpoints using light weapons and RPGs.^[7]

Israeli Druze in northern Israel staged protests to force an Israeli military intervention in Syria, in order to protect the Druze community living there.^[8]

Amidst the unrest, Israeli media reported limited drone strikes targeting alleged armed elements in Sahnaya, purportedly as a warning measure. These strikes reportedly targeted a group allegedly preparing attacks against the Druze community. No casualties were reported by Israeli sources.^[9]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated in a joint announcement that the airstrike in Sahnaya as a "warning operation". They stated that the strike was intended to send a clear message to the Syrian government, asserting that Israel expects it to take action to protect the Druze community.^[2]

A second Israeli strike, which utilized an Elbit Hermes 450 UAV,^[10] killed a member of the Syrian security forces and injured others.^[11]

The Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Osama al-Rifai, issued a statement on 30 April warning against the dangers of internal strife, in response to the events. Al-Rifai urged Syrians to reject calls for revenge and sectarian incitement, emphasizing that "fitna (discord) is easy to start but its consequences are unknown". He stressed that the blood of all Syrians is sacred and that even a single drop should not be spilled. Al-Rifai cautioned against heeding voices that seek to ignite conflict, describing them as "the voice of Satan" and calling instead for restraint and the preservation of national unity.^[12][13]

Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese Druze prominent politician, said on 30 April that he was conducting intensive contacts as part of his efforts to achieve a ceasefire.^[14]

A delegation of Druze sheikhs and dignitaries from Suwayda Governorate arrived to the Ashrafiyat Sahnaya area on 30 April, the group included the Governor of Suwayda as well as the two spiritual leaders of the Druze community, Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Yousef Jarbou. The delegation convened a meeting to achieve de-escalation.^[15]

A meeting between government officials and Druze representatives on 29 April resulted in an agreement to de-escalate the situation, hold the attackers accountable, and counter sectarian mobilization.^[16]

On the evening of 30 April, Syrian media reported that the Governors of Rif Dimashq, Suwayda, and Quneitra, along with a number of dignitaries and social figures, had reached an initial agreement stipulating a ceasefire in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya.^[17]

On the evening on 30 April, unidentified armed groups attacked Druze-majority villages of Ira, Rasas, and Al-Soura Al-Kabira, and shelled Kanaker in Suwayda Governorate and clashed with local Druze armed groups. Syrian government forces were soon after deployed to the area to restore stability.^[18][19]

• Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)
• Western Syria clashes (December 2024–present)
• Western Syria clashes (March 2025–present)
• 2025 massacres of Syrian Alawites