[Today's Prayer] 14 killed in sectarian clashes in suburbs of Damascus, Syria (comprehensive)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a conflict monitoring group, announced on the 29th (local time) that 14 people were killed in sectarian clashes in the suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus.

According to SOHR, government armed forces attacked the village of Jaramana, southeast of Damascus, the previous evening and clashed with Druze armed forces living in the area. Most of the residents here are Druze and Christians.

During the clash, 7 government soldiers were killed and several were injured, while 7 Druze were killed and 15 were injured.

The casualties increased as both sides fought using firearms and heavy weapons.

SOHR analyzed that the cause of this incident was the recent spread of a recording containing insulting remarks by a person believed to be Druze, triggering sectarian resentment.

The Druze community in Jaramana condemned the attack in a statement, saying it was an "unprovoked attack that targeted innocent civilians and left residents in fear," AFP reported.

They called on the authorities to address the incident, saying the recording was "manipulated to incite controversy and division."

The Syrian interim government's Interior Ministry has deployed security personnel on the outskirts of Jaramana and imposed a nighttime curfew to maintain security.

The Interior Ministry described the incident as a "clash between armed groups" and said it would "track down and hold accountable those responsible."

The ministry stressed that it was investigating the creator of the recording that insulted the Prophet Muhammad and that "anyone who instigates chaos and undermines security will be brought to justice without tolerance."

During the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war that lasted from 2011 to last year, some Islamic rebel groups frequently massacred Druze.

(omitted)

Source: Yonhap News

I will not trust in my bow; my sword will not save me. But you have saved us from our enemies; you have put those who hate us to shame. We boast in God all day long; we will praise your name forever. (Selah) (Psalm 44:6-81)

God, we hear the heartbreaking news that conflicts between sects have occurred in Syria, and that there have been casualties as a result.

The Islamic religion, which comes from false ideologies and theories that oppose God, is deceiving the Syrian people and continues to lead them to death.

Lord, please have mercy on the Syrian people.

Please cut off all the conflicts, disputes, and wounds that are deeply rooted in the Syrian people. May the solid walls of Islam that bind Syria collapse.

We believe that the hostility, suspicion, and hatred toward each other will be resolved and reconciled through Jesus.

Let us not be those who rely on our own bows, but those who come before Jesus Christ, the only Savior.

Lord, at this time, please sit as the King of Peace among the Syrian people. Let us become a nation that relies on Jehovah God, who saves the Syrian people from their enemies and puts to shame those who hate believers.

May the local churches in Syria wake up and pray for this work. May they rise up as Syrian churches that lead the souls of Syria who are in fear to Jesus.

May the churches in Syria boldly boast the name of Jesus, and may a holy revival come to Syria through the local churches!

In this way, let us become a nation that is eternally grateful for the name of God and praises only the Lord!

Now, through the Syrian people, may a holy multitude arise among all nations and peoples who boast only in the name of Jesus!