The clashes come as Syria’s new rulers are trying to establish their authority, and contending with well-armed militias and Israeli troops determined to keep government forces out.

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.

Israel has confirmed it carried out an airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strike was a direct message to the Syrian regime,