Gun threat during children’s school event in Damascus sparks panic

A school in Damascus experienced a state of panic after a military official stormed a school event, threatening attendees with a weapon and grenades, demanding that the music volume be lowered.

28 June, 2025 10:16

NEWSDESK

The incident took place at the Charles de Gaulle French School in the Syrian capital, Damascus, during an end-of-year celebration for elementary school students, attended by children, their parents, and the teaching staff.

According to the Syrian Observatory, the official in charge of the General Security checkpoint near the military hospital, known as “Sheikh Abu Abdul Qader”, entered the school grounds demanding the music be turned down, before issuing direct threats involving the use of weapons, including the threat of throwing hand grenades inside the school premises.

The incident caused panic and terror among those present, especially the children, according to one teacher who described the scene as a “shock” for both the faculty and the parents.

In a further escalation, the intruder proceeded to broadcast Quranic verses over loudspeakers outside the school, which was seen as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the event.

A-H

ANHA