US envoy Tom Barrack says Druze sheikh in Sweida uses perceived Israeli ties to split community

US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack is challenging the political standing of a key spiritual figure in southern Syria. Barrack, who also serves as the ambassador to Turkey, appeared in an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal on X on Friday.

Barrack stated that a specific Druze sheikh in Sweida is exploiting the perception of support from Israel and the United States to target other members of the Druze community. While the envoy did not name the individual directly, the remarks align with rising tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a prominent leader in Sweida who opposes the authority of Damascus and has called for full independence from the Syrian government.

The envoy rejected the idea that Washington explicitly backs the sheikh, calling such claims absolutely wrong. The friction between factions became visible earlier this month when al-Hijri's supporters raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The gathering marked the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Barrack connected local armed groups to the illicit drug trade. He described the area from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of captagon, comparing the production process to making methamphetamine. According to the envoy, revenue from this trade allows Druze groups to buy weapons effectively.

The Bashan administration, which is affiliated with al-Hijri, reacted with anger to the accusations. The group denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production, arguing that the community has historically fought smuggling networks. They noted that the community has paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, to combat illicit drugs.

Political tensions remain high 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 that is distinct from the government in Damascus.

Barrack argued that the relationship between Israel and the Druze goes beyond political interference. He pointed to Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border, noting they have paid a significant price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze, including strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Barrack observed that Syria has exercised restraint in response to these incursions to prevent a wider conflict.

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. Barrack acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria's new leadership, citing Sharaa's past with the al-Nusra Front and the presence of foreign fighters near the border. The two sides have held five rounds of border and boundary talks since beginning negotiations in Paris in May 2024.