US Envoy Barrack Accuses Sweida Druze Leader of Weaponizing Israel Image

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack accused a leading Druze spiritual figure in southern Syria of using perceived backing from Israel and the United States to target members of his own community. Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, made the remarks in an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal published on X on Friday. The comments add fuel to tensions in the Sweida province, where local factions are increasingly defining themselves in opposition to the central government in Damascus.

Barrack specified that his criticism targets a specific Druze sheikh rather than the state of Israel itself. Although the envoy did not name the individual during the interview, the timing aligns with rising tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a prominent leader in Sweida who opposes Damascus’s authority, has called for Israeli assistance, and advocates for full independence from the Syrian government. Barrack stated that the sheikh uses the image of support from Tel Aviv and Washington to persecute fellow Druze.

The envoy firmly rejected claims that Washington offers explicit support to the sheikh, describing such assertions as absolutely wrong. Frictions between local groups surfaced earlier this month when supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The gathering coincided with the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks. Barrack noted that while Israel has framed its military actions in southern Syria as protective of the Druze, the envoy sees the current political maneuvering as an exploitation of that relationship.

Barrack linked the regional instability to the local economy, suggesting that Druze armed groups finance their weapons through the captagon trade. He identified the corridor between Sweida and Daraa as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of the illicit drug. The envoy compared the production volume to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. According to Barrack, revenue from this trade provides the cash flow necessary for local groups to arm themselves effectively.

In response, the Bashan administration, which is affiliated with al-Hijri, issued a statement expressing profound anger. The group denied that Jabal Bashan serves as a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically been on the front lines against smuggling networks. The administration noted that the community has paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, in the struggle to eradicate illicit drugs.

The political situation in the region has grown more complex following al-Hijri’s declaration in May 2026 that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He emphasized the goal of establishing a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan, distinct from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has intensified scrutiny of the region’s internal politics and its relationships with neighboring powers.

Barrack argued that the alignment between Israel and the Druze extends beyond political interference. He pointed to Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border, noting that they have paid a significant price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has repeatedly cited the protection of the Druze as a reason for its military interventions in southern Syria, including strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025.

The envoy observed that Syria has exercised restraint in response to Israeli incursions. He warned that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict. Barrack suggested that President Ahmed al-Sharaa 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 a local fire from exploding into a larger war.

Barrack expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will reach an understanding despite continuing mistrust along their shared border. He noted that President al-Sharaa has made it clear he does not desire a confrontation with Israel. However, the envoy acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria’s new leadership. This wariness cites Sharaa’s past as a fighter with the al-Nusra Front and the presence of foreign fighters in army divisions deployed near the border.

Negotiations between the two nations are described as an ongoing process of building trust. Barrack highlighted that the two sides have held five rounds of border and boundary talks. These discussions began in Paris in May 2024. The envoy expressed confidence in the trajectory of the talks, stating that while the parties have come close to an agreement before, he believes they will reach a final understanding again.