US envoy says Druze leaders use drug money to buy weapons in Syria

Ordinary residents in southern Syria face a complex economic reality where local power structures rely heavily on illicit drug revenue to maintain armed forces. US Special Envoy Tom Barrack argues that Druze factions in the region are using income from the captagon trade to purchase weapons. This financial engine allows these groups to arm themselves effectively, creating a dynamic that impacts local stability and market forces in the province.

The situation has evolved through a series of political and military shifts. In May 2026, spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri declared that the push for self-determination in Jabal Bashan is irreversible. He aims to establish a fully independent administration separate from Damascus. Earlier this month, tensions peaked when al-Hijri supporters raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. This event marked the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, signaling a clear alignment with foreign powers in the eyes of critics.

Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, criticized this leadership for leveraging the perception of Israeli and American support. In an interview with Mario Nawfal, published on X on Friday, he stated that the sheikh uses this perceived backing to target other Druze community members. Barrack rejected the idea that Washington officially supports the sheikh, calling such claims wrong. He emphasized that the issue is the exploitation of an image rather than a formal state policy.

The economic basis of these armed groups centers on the captagon trade. Barrack described the area from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for manufacturing and selling the illicit drug. He compared the production process to methamphetamine manufacturing, noting that the resulting revenue funds local military capabilities. This trade provides a steady income stream that allows factions to maintain their operational independence from the central government.

The Bashan administration, affiliated with al-Hijri, responded with strong condemnation of these economic claims. They denied that Jabal Bashan is a primary center for captagon production. The group argued that the community has historically fought against smuggling networks and has paid a high personal cost. They highlighted the sacrifice of young men in the struggle to eradicate illicit drugs, suggesting that the envoy's financial analysis overlooks this historical effort.

In the broader regional context, Israel has framed its military actions in southern Syria as protection for the Druze. This includes strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Barrack noted that Druze communities in the Golan Heights and along the border have paid a significant price as allies with Israeli forces. Syria has shown restraint in response to these incursions, allowing Israel to maintain a perceived buffer zone. This patience is a strategic choice to prevent a wider conflict from breaking out.

Looking ahead, the diplomatic process between Israel and Syria continues to build trust. The two nations have held five rounds of border talks since May 2024, starting in Paris. US President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed a desire to avoid confrontation, although Israel remains wary due to the new leadership's history. Barrack expressed confidence that the two sides will reach a final understanding, indicating that the economic and political dynamics in the region are moving toward a negotiated stability.