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

Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-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.

A leader of Syria’s Druze minority has condemned attacks against his community after dozens of people were killed in two days of sectarian clashes south of Damascus. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri on Thursday denounced the violence in Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus earlier this week as a “genocidal campaign” against the Druze community in Syria.