Syria said Israel launched new strikes near Damascus on Wednesday, after sectarian clashes left nearly 40 dead in two days and Israel warned against attacks targeting the Druze minority. Key Syria backer Turkey has accused Israel of stirring up divisions and turning minorities against Damascus.

Israel said it carried out a strike in Syria against extremists who attacked members of the Druze community, following through on a promise to protect the minority group as sectarian violence spread near Damascus on Wednesday.

Israel launched airstrikes on Syria amid a wave of sectarian violence spreading around the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, in areas dominated by the Druse minority.