Syria envoy blames captagon cash for Druze arms

Syria’s complex internal conflicts have drawn fresh international attention following new claims from the United States. On Friday, special envoy Tom Barrack accused a specific Druze leader of exploiting perceived foreign backing to divide his own community. Barrack, who also serves as the ambassador to Turkey, made these remarks in an interview published on X by commentator Mario Nawfal.

Barrack stated that the Sweida-Daraa corridor acts as a global hub for manufacturing and selling captagon. He compared the local production to the methamphetamine trade and asserted that 90 percent of Syria’s total captagon trade flows through this region. According to the envoy, the revenue generated from this illicit market directly finances the weapons held by Druze armed groups in the province.

The criticism targets Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent spiritual leader in Sweida who opposes Damascus authority. Al-Hijri has advocated for full independence and called for support from Israel. Although Barrack did not name al-Hijri directly, his comments align with rising tensions in the area. The friction became visible earlier this month when al-Hijri’s supporters raised Israeli flags during a rally marking the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Barrack rejected the idea that Washington explicitly supports al-Hijri, calling such claims absolutely wrong. He argued that the leader uses the image of alignment with Tel Aviv and Washington to persecute fellow Druze. The envoy noted that Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border have fought alongside Israeli Defense Forces, paying a heavy price in this dynamic.

The Bashan administration, affiliated with al-Hijri, responded with a statement expressing anger and condemnation. The group denied that Jabal Bashan serves as a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically fought smuggling networks and has lost young men in the struggle to eradicate illicit drugs.

Al-Hijri declared in May 2026 that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He aims to establish 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 relationship with neighboring powers.

Barrack observed that Syria has exercised restraint in response to Israeli incursions, including strikes in Sweida in July 2025. He warned that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict. Syria’s patience is viewed as a strategic choice to maintain a perceived buffer zone while managing Druze conduct that some find inappropriate.

The envoy expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will reach an understanding despite ongoing mistrust. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated he does not desire confrontation, though Israel remains wary of his past with the al-Nusra Front. Barrack noted that five rounds of border talks have taken place since Paris in May 2024, and he believes the parties will eventually reach a final agreement.