US envoy says Druze leader uses Israel's shadow to fight rivals in southern Syria

For residents in the Druze communities of southern Syria, the political landscape just became significantly more volatile. A senior US diplomat has publicly accused a key local spiritual leader of using the perception of Israeli and American support as a weapon against his own people. This development suggests that ordinary families in the region may face increased internal friction as external powers weigh in on local power struggles.

Tom Barrack, who serves as the US special envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey, made these allegations during an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal. The conversation was shared on the social media platform X on Friday, October 23, 2026. Barrack specified that his criticism is not aimed at the State of Israel itself, but at a specific Druze sheikh. He claimed this leader exploits the belief that Tel Aviv and Washington have his back to persecute fellow Druze members who hold different views.

While Barrack did not name the individual directly, the timing points clearly to Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a prominent figure in Sweida who has long opposed the authority of the central government in Damascus. He has publicly called for Israeli support and pushed for full independence from Syria. The tension between these factions was visible earlier this month when al-Hijri's supporters raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. That event coincided with the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, a symbolic act that highlighted the complex and often fraught dynamics in the region.

Barrack firmly pushed back against the idea that the sheikh has explicit backing from Washington. He described such claims as absolutely wrong, seeking to draw a clear line between actual policy and perceived influence. Beyond the political maneuvering, the envoy also pointed to the economic engine driving local armed groups. He suggested that Druze factions in the province are financing their weapons through the captagon trade.

According to Barrack, the area stretching from Sweida to Daraa has become a global hub for the manufacture and sale of this illicit drug. He compared the production process to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, noting that the revenue generated allows the Druze to arm themselves effectively. This economic reliance on the drug trade adds another layer of complexity to the region's stability, linking local militias directly to illicit networks.

The Bashan administration, which is affiliated with al-Hijri, reacted strongly to these accusations. They issued a statement expressing profound anger and unequivocal condemnation of Barrack's remarks. The group denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically been on the front lines against smuggling networks and has paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, in the struggle to eradicate the scourge of illicit drugs.

The push for autonomy has intensified scrutiny on the region's internal politics. In May 2026, 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 is entirely distinct from the government in Damascus. Barrack argued that the alignment between Israel and the Druze goes beyond mere political interference. He pointed to the 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 framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze. This includes strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Barrack observed that Syria has exercised notable restraint in response to these 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.

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. This wariness stems from 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 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. While he noted that the parties have come close to an agreement before, he believes they will reach a final understanding again.