With more than 100 people killed this week in a region controlled by the Druse minority, Druse leaders signaled new willingness to join forces with the Sunni Muslim-dominated government.

Hundreds of armed Druze men are seen setting up positions to defend their towns after dozens killed in attacks near Damascus by Islamists loyal to new government

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.