Five rounds of talks: US envoy maps path to Syria-Israel accord

Washington believes a final understanding between Israel and Syria is within reach after five rounds of border and boundary talks. US Special Envoy Tom Barrack expressed confidence in the trajectory of these discussions, which began in Paris in May 2024. He noted that while the parties have come close to an agreement before, he expects they will reach a final understanding again. This optimism persists despite significant mistrust and tensions along the shared border.

Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, made these remarks in an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal published on X on Friday. The envoy clarified that his primary concern was not the state of Israel itself, but a specific Druze sheikh in southern Syria. Barrack alleged that this leader utilizes the perception of support from Tel Aviv and Washington to persecute fellow Druze. Although he did not explicitly name the individual in the interview, the comments arrive amidst growing tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri.

Al-Hijri is a prominent spiritual leader in Sweida who opposes the authority of Damascus. He has called for Israeli support and advocated for full independence from the Syrian government. In May 2026, al-Hijri declared that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He emphasized the goal of establishing a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan that is entirely distinct from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has intensified scrutiny on the region's internal politics and its relationship with neighboring powers.

Earlier this month, the friction between these factions was highlighted when supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The gathering marked the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, a symbolic gesture that underscored the complex dynamics within the region. Barrack firmly rejected the notion that the sheikh has explicit support from Washington, describing such claims as absolutely wrong. He argued that the alignment between Israel and the Druze goes beyond mere political interference.

The envoy pointed to the Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border, noting that they have paid a significant price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has repeatedly framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze. This included strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Barrack observed that Syria has exercised notable restraint in response to these incursions.

Any aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict, Barrack warned. He suggested that Damascus has been patient in allowing Israel to maintain what it perceives as a buffer zone. This patience is seen as a strategic choice to prevent the fire from exploding into a larger war, even as the Druze conduct themselves in ways that some view as inappropriate. The envoy acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria's new leadership, citing President Ahmed al-Sharaa's past as a fighter with the al-Nusra Front and the presence of foreign fighters in army divisions deployed near the border.

Barrack also addressed the economic underpinnings of local armed factions, suggesting that the Druze groups in the province are financing their weapons through the captagon trade. He described the area from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of the illicit drug, comparing its production to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. According to Barrack, the revenue from this trade enables the Druze to arm themselves effectively.

In response to these accusations, the Bashan administration, which is affiliated with al-Hijri, issued a statement expressing profound anger and unequivocal condemnation. The group denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically been on the front lines against smuggling networks and has paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, in the struggle to eradicate the scourge of illicit drugs.

Despite these local disputes, the broader relationship between the two nations continues to evolve through ongoing negotiations. Barrack highlighted that the five rounds of talks represent a process of building trust. He expressed optimism that Israel and Syria will eventually reach an understanding, noting that President al-Sharaa has made it clear he does not desire a confrontation with Israel.