Media: Syria vows to hold perpetrators of sectarian clashes near Damascus accountable PHOTO / VIDEO

Syria’s Interior Ministry has pledged to pursue those responsible for sectarian violence that broke out in the southern suburb of Damascus, blaming “gunmen” for the unrest and confirming that security forces were deployed to stabilise the area.

The ministry reported casualties following “intermittent clashes between groups of gunmen,” adding that security forces “went to break up the clashes and protect the residents," Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Arabiya.

“We affirm our keenness to pursue those involved and hold them to account,” it said in a statement.

Clashes broke out in Jaramana early on April 29 between local gunmen belonging to the minority Druze sect and pro-government fighters, leaving a number of casualties.

The fighting in the southern Damascus suburb reportedly broke out after an audio clip circulated on social media of a man attacking Islam’s Prophet Mohammed. The audio was attributed to a Druze cleric, who later denied being involved.

The Interior Ministry had said in an earlier statement it was investigating the audio clip, adding that its initial probe showed the cleric was not responsible. The ministry urged people to abide by the law and not to act in a way that undermines security.

Jaramana’s Druze religious leadership in a statement condemned “the unjustified armed attack” that “targeted innocent civilians and terrorised” residents.

“We strongly condemn any insult against” the Prophet Mohammed, the statement said, calling the “fabricated” audio recording an attempt to “sow strife and division.”

It said that the Syrian authorities bore “full responsibility for the incident and for any further developments or worsening of the crisis.”

By Khagan Isayev