US envoy blames Druze leader for Syrian friction
Tom Barrack asserts that a specific spiritual figure uses perceived Israeli backing to divide the Druze community rather than acting on official American policy.
By Yasmin Farouk ·
US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack delivered a pointed critique of a senior Druze spiritual leader in southern Syria this week. During an interview published on X on Friday, Barrack argued that the sheikh is taking advantage of a widely held belief that Israel and the United States support him. According to the envoy, this perception is being used to target other members of the Druze community. Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, emphasized that his issue is not with Israel as a state, but with how this one individual wields that perceived backing. While he did not name the sheikh explicitly, the comments land in the midst of rising tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a prominent figure in Sweida who challenges Damascus, calls for Israeli support, and pushes for total independence from the Syrian government.
The envoy was quick to clarify that Washington has not given this sheikh a formal mandate. Barrack described claims of explicit American support as absolutely wrong. The friction between these groups became visible earlier this month when al-Hijri’s supporters raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The event marked the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, a symbolic move that highlighted the complex dynamics at play. Barrack also pointed to the economic engine behind local armed factions. He suggested that Druze groups in the province are funding their weapons through the captagon trade. He compared the region from Sweida to Daraa to a global hub for producing the drug, similar to methamphetamine manufacturing, noting that the revenue allows these groups to arm themselves effectively.
The Bashan administration, which aligns with al-Hijri, reacted with strong condemnation to these accusations. They denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production, arguing that the community has historically fought on the front lines against smuggling networks. The group noted that the community has paid a high personal cost, including the loss of young men, in the fight to end illicit drug trafficking. This dispute adds to the political complexity in the region. In May 2026, al-Hijri declared that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He stated the goal is to establish a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan that is completely separate from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has increased scrutiny on the region’s internal politics and its relationship with neighboring powers.
Barrack also addressed the broader relationship between Israel and the Druze. He argued that the alignment goes beyond political interference and points to Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border. He noted that these communities have paid a significant price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has repeatedly framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze, including strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Despite these incidents, Barrack observed that Syria has exercised notable restraint in response to Israeli incursions. He warned that any aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict, suggesting that Damascus has been patient in allowing Israel to maintain what it perceives as a buffer zone. This patience is viewed as a strategic choice to prevent the situation from exploding into a larger war.
Looking ahead, the envoy expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will eventually reach an understanding. He noted that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has made it clear he does not desire a confrontation with Israel. However, Barrack acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria’s new leadership. He cited Sharaa’s past as a fighter with the al-Nusra Front and the presence of foreign fighters in army divisions deployed near the border. The negotiations between the two nations are described as an ongoing process of building trust. Barrack highlighted that the two sides have already held five rounds of border and boundary talks, which began in Paris in May 2024. He expressed confidence in the trajectory of these discussions, stating that while the parties have come close to an agreement before, he believes they will reach a final understanding again.
Source: Middle East Eye
