DAMASCUS: Seven Syrian soldiers and as many Druze fighters were killed near Damascus on Monday night in clashes sparked by the circulation on social media of an audio recording deemed blasphemous.

The interior ministry in Damascus reported `intermittent clashes between groups of gunmen`, saying security forces deployed `to break up the clashes and protect the residents`.

`We affirm our keenness to pursue those involved and hold them to account,` it said in a statement, adding that investigations were also ongoing to identify who was behind the recording.

`We will not be lenient in bringing to justice anyone who contributes to sowing chaos and undermining security,` the ministry statement added.

An agency correspondent saw gunmen shooting into the air during the funeral for two security force members killed in the clashes.

L ocal residents said thefighting had subsided by morning. `We were trapped in our homes as the sound of intermittent gunfire continued,` a resident of Jaramana said.

`The children have not gone to school and the streets of our neighbourhood are empty this morning,` they added.

Riham Waqqaf, a 33-year-old humanitarian worker, said she was staying home with her husband and children. She expressed worry that Jaramana `might turn into a battlefield... I am afraid of the situation escalating further`.

Fighter Jamal, declin-ing to provide his full name, said local armed groups had asked residents of the suburb to stay home `for their safety`. The area is also home to families displaced by Syria`s conflict which erupted in 2011.

Test for new leadership Security forces deployed in Jaramana last month following clashes between soldiers and local gunmen tasked with protecting the area.

The clashes in Jaramana mark the latest test for the new authorities of Syria, who have roots in the Al Qaedagroup but have vowed inclusive rule in the multi-confessional, multiethnic country.

The authorities have been seeking to persuade Western capitals that the origins of the group`s forces who toppled Assad are confined to the past, and that crippling international sanctions should be lifted.

The government of interim President Ahmed al Sharaa, whose group Hayat Tahrir al Sham led the offensive that toppled Assad in December, accused loyalists to the former leader of sparking the violence by attacking security forces.-AFP