A prominent Druze leader in Lebanon said Sunday that he would soon visit Syria to meet its interim leader as tensions simmer between members of the minority group, the war-torn country’s interim government, and Israel, which is also home to a Druze community with close family ties to those in Syria.

“The free Syrians must be cautious of the plots of Israel,” veteran Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said at a news conference Sunday, accusing Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of creating sectarian division and chaos in the country. “In Syria, there is a plot for sabotage. There is a plot for sabotage in the region and for the Arabs’ national security.”

According to reports from Syria, authorities from the new Syrian government have been clashing with local Druze gunmen during a security campaign in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus. At least one Syrian officer was killed, while another was captured and later released, the reports said.

Israeli leaders have publicly warned Syria’s government not to harm the Druze in southwestern Syria, and have regularly spoken with foreign leaders about the importance of protecting them, along with Syria’s Kurds.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Saturday that he was

© The Times of Israel