US envoy backs Syrian control of Suwayda amid rift with Israel

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has indicated that Washington favors Syrian government control over the southern governorate of Suwayda.

Barrack spoke on Friday with Australian X personality Mario Nawfal about the region, which remains a point of friction between Damascus and Israel. The southern province is majority Druze and serves as one of the last areas where the central government lacks full authority. Barrack referenced a specific Druze sheikh, identified as Hikmat al-Hijri, whose National Guard has been accused of acting as an Israeli proxy.

The remarks create a clear distinction between American and Israeli positions in Syria. Israel has attacked Syrian ministries and soldiers while seeking influence with the Druze community. US President Donald Trump has cultivated a strong relationship with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, viewing stability as essential for a country rebuilding after 13 years of war. Navvar Saban, a researcher at the Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies, stated that Barrack's message was clear: Israeli backing of al-Hijri does not equate to American support.

Washington has worked to rebuild relations with Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. This approach contrasts with the stance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the days following the collapse of the Assad government, Israel invaded Syria and seized land in Quneitra governorate and other strategic areas. Israel has also bombed the Ministry of Defence and arrested Syrians in the south, drawing criticism from Damascus officials. Barrack, who also serves as US ambassador to Turkiye, is known for a direct diplomatic style that sometimes ignores caution.

Residents in Suwayda rose up against the Assad regime in 2023 due to worsening living conditions. While many celebrated the end of Baathist rule in December 2024, trust in the new government wavered. Relations deteriorated after fighting between Bedouin tribes and Druze in July 2025 resulted in deadly sectarian killings. Forces connected to the government reportedly supported the Bedouins, leading to casualties that were overwhelmingly Druze. Israel intervened by attacking Syrian government forces entering the province and has since attempted to build local support for al-Hijri.

Nanar Hawach, a Syrian analyst, noted that Washington is building a partner in Damascus while Israel appears to prefer a weaker Syrian government. Hawach said Israel uses Suwayda as a lever to maintain a military presence in southern Syria. Al-Hijri's authority increases when the Druze community feels threatened, which complicates efforts to restore central rule. The province remains in a deadlock, with many residents lacking trust in the government after feeling pressure in areas such as salaries and education.

In September 2025, a trilateral agreement was signed in Amman, Jordan, where the US, Syria, and other parties discussed the crisis. The agreement stipulated that Syria would invite an independent international commission to investigate the events of July 2025. Saban said that a durable settlement requires credible accountability for the 2025 violence. The Druze community needs guarantees for protection of movement, education, and security to rebuild trust with Damascus.