Hijri has harshly criticized Syria’s government for what he called an “unjustified genocidal attack” during deadly sectarian fighting in Druze-majority areas south of Damascus this week.

The sectarian violence involving Islamist factions, security forces and Druze gunmen is another sign of the fragile security situation.

The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.