Syrian Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri on Thursday condemned what he called a “genocidal campaign” against his community after two days of sectarian clashes left 102 people dead.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned his country would respond “with significant force” if Syria’s new authorities fail to protect the Druze minority, whose representatives rejected any attempt to force them out.
The violence poses a serious challenge to the authorities who ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.
Israel attacked a target near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early on Friday, reiterating his vow to protect members of the Druze community.
It marks the second time Israel has struck Syria in as many days, following through on a promise to defend the minority group, which was involved in sectarian violence against Sunni gunmen earlier this week.
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The United States on Thursday confirmed meeting Syria’s top diplomat and called on the country’s interim authorities to take action on sectarianism as violence flares against the Druze minority.
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