US Envoy Cites $1.2 Billion Captagon Trade in Druze Arms Funding

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack accused a prominent Druze spiritual leader in southern Syria of using perceived backing from Israel and the United States to target members of his own community. Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, made the remarks in an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal published on X on Friday. He stated that the leader leverages the image of external support to persecute fellow Druze, although he did not name the individual during the conversation.

The criticism centers on Hikmat al-Hijri, a spiritual leader in Sweida who opposes the authority of Damascus. Al-Hijri has called for Israeli support and advocated for full independence from the Syrian government. Barrack rejected the idea that Washington explicitly supports the sheikh, describing such claims as absolutely wrong. He clarified that his concern lies with the specific Druze figure rather than the state of Israel itself.

Tensions in the region escalated earlier this month when supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The gathering marked the anniversary of the attacks on 7 October 2023. Barrack pointed to this event as evidence of the complex dynamics within the region and the way local factions position themselves relative to neighboring powers.

Barrack identified the captagon trade as the primary economic engine behind local armed groups. He described the area from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of the illicit drug, comparing its production scale to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. According to the envoy, revenue from this trade allows Druze groups to arm themselves effectively, creating a self-sustaining cycle of power and conflict.

The Bashan administration, affiliated with al-Hijri, issued a statement expressing anger and condemnation in response to Barrack’s economic claims. The group denied that Jabal Bashan serves as a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically fought on the front lines against smuggling networks and noted that young men from the area have sacrificed their lives to eradicate the drug trade.

Political friction in the region deepened in May 2026 when al-Hijri declared the move toward self-determination irreversible. He emphasized the goal of establishing a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan, distinct from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has increased scrutiny on the region’s internal politics and its interactions with nearby states.

Barrack noted that the relationship between Israel and the Druze involves more than political alignment. He pointed to Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border, stating they have paid a high price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has framed its military interventions in southern Syria, including strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025, as efforts to protect these communities.

The envoy observed that Syria has shown restraint in response to Israeli incursions. He warned that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict and suggested that Damascus has been patient in allowing Israel to maintain what it perceives as a buffer zone. This patience is viewed as a strategic choice to prevent a localized dispute from expanding into a larger war.

Barrack expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will reach an understanding despite ongoing mistrust. He noted that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated he does not desire a confrontation with Israel. However, the envoy acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria’s new leadership, citing Sharaa’s history with the al-Nusra Front and the presence of foreign fighters in army divisions near the border.

Negotiations between the two nations are ongoing, with both sides focusing on building trust. Barrack reported that the parties have held five rounds of border and boundary talks since May 2024, which began in Paris. He stated that while the sides have previously come close to an agreement, he believes they will reach a final understanding again.