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.

Tensions in Syria have escalated following a deadly ambush that left at least 23 members of the Druze minority dead, according to a monitoring group, sparking calls for international intervention. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the victims were targeted late Wednesday on the Damascus–Sweida highway in an attack allegedly carried out by Syrian security forces and pro-government militias.