Israel launched major airstrikes on Syria Wednesday, targeting the defence ministry in Damascus and military forces in the south, as sectarian violence in Suweida entered its fourth day.

Israel launched rare strikes in Damascus on Wednesday in a campaign it said was aimed at defending the Druze community after days of clashes in the southern city of Sweida.

Syria's interim president accused Israel on Thursday of "trying to drag us into war" after the Netanyahu government launched airstrikes in Damascus.