US envoy Tom Barrack criticises a prominent Druze spiritual leader in southern Syria, accusing him of exploiting the perception of Israeli backing and perceived alignment with Washington to persecute other Druze community members. Barrack delivers the remarks in an interview published on X by commentator Mario Nawfal, saying his concern is not Israel in general but “a particular Druze sheikh,” and he rejects claims that the sheikh has official US support.
The comments come amid wider tensions in Sweida, where Hikmat al-Hijri is described as opposing Damascus’s authority and having called for Israeli support and independence from Syria. One outlet reports that Barrack also links the dispute to claims about involvement in the captagon trade, and notes that supporters of al-Hijri previously raised Israeli flags during a rally marking the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attack.
Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli Druze figures and regional experts condemn Barrack’s accusations and warn they could inflame sectarian violence. Middle East Eye focuses on Barrack’s allegations and the internal Druze dispute in Sweida, presenting the issue primarily as a claim of persecution within the community rather than a broader regional accusation.
