US signals differences with Israel over Syrian policy towards Suwayda

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack recently spoke with Australian X personality Mario Nawfal about Syria’s southern governorate, where a majority of the population is Druze. The region has been a focal point for tensions between the Syrian government and Israel.

Barrack referred to “a particular Druze sheikh”, thought to be Hikmat al-Hijri, who is a prominent figure in Suwayda. Al-Hijri’s National Guard, a group linked to him, has been accused of receiving support from Israel with separatist ambitions.

US President Donald Trump has maintained close ties with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and views instability in Syria as a threat to the country’s rebuilding efforts after 13 years of war. Barrack’s comments on al-Hijri were seen by some as a message to Israel, which has attacked Syrian ministries and soldiers, and attempted to curry favor with the Druze community through the National Guard.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a different view of the new Syrian government, having received strong US support for his actions in Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran. Since al-Assad’s regime collapsed in December 2024, Israel has invaded Syria, seized land in Quneitra governorate, and threatened President al-Sharaa’s government.

Barrack, a Trump confidant, has built a reputation for his direct approach to diplomacy. He recently spoke with Nawfal about the situation in southern Syria, appearing to favor Damascus having control over Suwayda rather than a group aligned with al-Hijri and linked to Israel.

Analysts have noted differences between US and Israeli views on the matter. Nanar Hawach, a Syrian analyst, stated that Barrack’s remarks “expose differences with Israel.” Navvar Saban, a researcher at the Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies, said that Washington is building a partner in Damascus while Israel appears to prefer a weak Damascus.

The region of Suwayda has experienced violence and sectarian killings since al-Assad’s regime collapsed. Forces connected to the government joined the fighting on the side of Bedouin tribes, resulting in casualties among the Druze population. Israel intervened in the fighting, attacking what it said were Syrian government forces entering Suwayda.

Source: Al Jazeera