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Syria: Jaramana Bombing Fuels Suspicions of Israeli Involvement
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Syria: Jaramana Bombing Fuels Suspicions of Israeli Involvement

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A minibus bombing in Jaramana, Syria, wounded 14 people, three critically.
  • The attack occurred shortly after local leaders issued a statement on "national and social principles."
  • Residents and activists suspect Israel, citing alleged separatist projects backed by the country.

A minibus bombing in Jaramana, a city east of Damascus, injured 14 people, three severely, drawing renewed attention to the area amidst Syria's ongoing conflict. The explosion occurred just hours after local sheikhs and residents released a statement affirming their commitment to "national and social principles" and rejecting divisive attempts.

The statement emphasized Damascus as the city's core and Eastern Ghouta its natural extension, while denouncing any efforts to sow discord or disrupt the city's social harmony. Residents declared that Jaramana's people "are not a mailbox for any party" and would not tolerate interference in their affairs, mirroring their own non-interference in others'.

Activists in Jaramana interpreted the statement as a political rejection of a separatist agenda in the southern province of Sweida, allegedly promoted by Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and supported by Israel. They accuse Israel of fostering claims that Syria's Druze minority is under threat, positioning itself as a protector.

There are several parties that have no interest in stability in Syria, foremost among them Israel, which stands behind any move aimed at destabilizing this country.

— Makram ObeidA lawyer and Jaramana resident who helped draft the statement issued by the city's sheikhs and residents.

The bombing also coincided with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani's visit to Turkey, a period of heightened tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously linked his country's security to Aleppo, Damascus, and Beirut, while Israeli officials, including Energy Minister Eli Cohen, had issued threats regarding potential military bases in Syria.

Lawyer Makram Obeid, a Jaramana resident involved in drafting the statement, asserted that the perpetrators lacked interest in Syria's unity or stability. He directly implicated Israel, stating it "stands behind any move aimed at destabilizing this country." Obeid noted that the message conveyed in the Jaramana statement was consistent with previous positions held since the fall of the former regime.

the people of Jaramana are not a mailbox for any party

— Jaramana residents and sheikhsPart of a statement issued by local leaders rejecting external interference.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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