Barrack signals US support for Syrian control

US special envoy Tom Barrack indicated on Friday that Washington supports the Syrian government's authority over Suwayda rather than an armed group aligned with local religious leader Hikmat al-Hijri. Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkiye, spoke with Australian content creator Mario Nawfal about the situation in southern Syria.

Suwayda is a majority Druze governorate and one of the last areas in Syria where the central government does not have full control. Barrack referred to a particular Druze sheikh in the conversation, a figure widely identified as al-Hijri. The National Guard, a Druze armed group linked to al-Hijri, has been accused of receiving support from Israel with separatist ambitions.

The comments are viewed by many observers as a clear message to Israel. The Israeli government has attacked Syrian ministries and soldiers while seeking influence among Syria's Druze community. Analysts suggest the National Guard is acting as an Israeli proxy in the region.

US President Donald Trump has established a strong relationship with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump views instability in Syria as a risk to a nation attempting to rebuild after 13 years of war. Navvar Saban, a researcher at the Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies, stated that Barrack's message was totally clear. He noted that Israel backing al-Hijri does not equal American backing, and that Washington has prioritized an agreement with Damascus.

Relations between the US and Damascus have improved since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a different view of the new Syrian government. Israel invaded Syria immediately after the collapse of al-Assad's government, seizing land in Quneitra governorate and other strategic areas. The Israeli military has threatened the government in Damascus, bombed the Ministry of Defence, and arrested Syrians in the south.

Nanar Hawach, a Syrian analyst who visited Suwayda in September, said the remarks expose differences between Washington and Israel. Hawach noted that Washington is building a partner in Damascus, while Israel appears to prefer a Damascus that is too weak to assert itself in the south.

Residents of Suwayda rose up against the al-Assad regime in 2023 and maintained protests until the regime collapsed in December 2024. Many in the province were hesitant to support the new government after deadly sectarian killings between Bedouin tribes and Druze in July 2025. Forces connected to the government reportedly joined the fighting on the side of the Bedouins, resulting in casualties that were overwhelmingly Druze.

Israel intervened in the July fighting by attacking what it said were Syrian government forces entering Suwayda. Since then, Israel has reportedly tried to build favor with locals, including al-Hijri, who opposes Damascus's new leadership. Hawach stated that Israel appears intent on a lasting military presence in southern Syria and uses Suwayda as a lever against Damascus.

A trilateral agreement was signed in Amman in September 2025, following talks hosted by Jordan. The agreement stated that Syria would invite an independent international commission to investigate the events in Suwayda and that perpetrators would be brought to justice. While major fighting has not resumed, the situation remains in a deadlock with many in the province lacking trust in the government.

Hawach said distrust has hardened because Damascus has sought to bring Suwayda back by pressuring its leadership. He added that trust tends to return through what the state delivers. Saban emphasized that a durable settlement needs credible accountability for what happened in 2025, and that the Druze need guarantees for protection of movement, education, and security.