Barrack accuses Druze sheikh of using Israel to target rivals in Syria

US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack accused a leading Druze spiritual figure in the south of weaponizing the perception of Israeli support to attack members of his own community. Barrack made the comments during an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal, which was released on the social media platform X on Friday. The envoy, who also holds the post of US ambassador to Turkey, framed the issue as a local power struggle rather than a direct diplomatic rift between Washington and Damascus.

Barrack did not name the individual in the interview. However, the timing of the remarks aligns with rising tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a prominent sheikh in the province of Sweida who opposes the central government in Damascus. He has publicly called for Israeli backing and advocates for full independence for his region. Barrack stated that his primary concern is not the state of Israel, but the specific way this sheikh uses the image of support from Tel Aviv and Washington to persecute fellow Druze.

The envoy rejected the idea that the sheikh has explicit backing from Washington. Barrack described such claims as absolutely wrong. The friction between these factions became visible earlier this month when supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. That gathering marked the anniversary of the attacks of 7 October 2023. The symbolic gesture illustrated the complex internal dynamics within the community.

Barrack also addressed the economic foundations of the local armed groups. He suggested that Druze factions in the province are financing their weapons through the captagon trade. The envoy described the corridor from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of the illicit drug. He compared the production process to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, arguing that the resulting revenue allows the groups to arm themselves effectively.

In response, the Bashan administration, which is affiliated with al-Hijri, issued a statement of condemnation. 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 members of the community have paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, in the effort to eradicate illicit drugs.

Political complexity in the region deepened in May 2026 when al-Hijri declared that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He emphasized the goal of establishing a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan that remains distinct from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has increased scrutiny on the region's internal politics and its interactions with neighboring powers.

Barrack noted that the alignment between Israel and the Druze goes beyond political interference. He pointed to Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border, stating that they 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.

The envoy observed that Syria has exercised restraint in response to Israeli incursions. Barrack warned that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict. He suggested that Damascus has been patient in allowing Israel to maintain a perceived buffer zone, even as some Druze actions are viewed as provocative. This patience is seen as a strategic choice to prevent the situation from exploding into a larger war.

Regarding the relationship between the two nations, Barrack expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will eventually reach an understanding. He noted that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated 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 near the border as factors in this caution.

Negotiations between the two countries are ongoing as a process of building trust. Barrack said the two sides have 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.