Sectarian Clashes Spread Around Syria’s Capital, Drawing In Israel

We're in extreme panic and fear because of the indiscriminate shelling, which is forcing most of us to stay totally shuttered inside our homes,

said Elias Hanna, who lives on the edge of Sahnaya

We're worried that the massacres of the coast will repeat themselves near Sahnaya against the Druze,

he said

There was an element of provocation in the midst of all this,

said one fighter, who identified himself as Abu Jaffar

This was an assault on the Druze community and we need support, but Israel does not protect us,

said Jamal Azzam, a local cleric

There’s nothing you can do about the planes,

said Abdul Fidah, 27.

We have to protect our areas,

said Ghaith al-Karkh, a 52-year old carpenter, clutching a rifle

Our men were in the street as soon as it started,

said Malak al-Malaih, 51, who described cowering inside with her daughter, as her sons picked up weapons and headed out to confront the attackers

Go faster, go faster,

the men yelled at cars passing an area of open land between Jaramana and the road they were standing on

Benjamin Netanyahuisraeli Prime Minister

Israel will not allow the Druze community in Syria to be harmed given the deep commitment to our Druze brothers in Israel.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said

At the same time, a stern message was conveyed to the Syrian regime: Israel expects it to act to prevent harm to the Druze,

the statement said