The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, has called on the international community to support the separation of Sweida from Syria, demanding protection for the Druze following deadly clashes that have left over 1,600 people dead since July 13.

Al-Hijri expressed gratitude to the United States and the Israeli occupation for their backing, stressing that the community faces an “attempted extermination” and has entered a “new phase” toward establishing an autonomous region.