“The Israeli Druze are now trying to use that and urge the Israeli government to protect fellow Druze in Syria,” he said, explaining, in part, the justification for Israel’s strikes on Syria, where the Druze community has traditionally been anti-Israel, even as some leaders grow closer to Israel.

The United States did not support recent Israeli strikes on Syria, the State Department said on Thursday, adding that Washington made clear its displeasure after tensions escalated and worked quickly to stop it.

Israeli warplanes launched several waves of airstrikes over central Damascus, according to both Israeli and Syrian authorities. One of the primary targets was a military compound that includes the Syrian defence ministry and the general staff headquarters, which Israeli officials said was being used to coordinate government offensives in Sweida.