Four days of clashes between pro-government gunmen and members of a minority sect in Syria have left nearly 100 people dead and raised fears of deadly sectarian violence.

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.

Sectarian violence has erupted again in Syria, raising fresh doubt on the ability of the new Islamist rulers to control armed factions and calm tensions.