US envoy says Syria's southern militias buy guns with drug profits
Tom Barrack claims 90 percent of Syria's captagon trade originates in the south, funding Druze armed groups while fueling political friction with Damascus.
By Luana Sato ·
Residents of southern Syria face a new layer of scrutiny as US special envoy Tom Barrack linked local armed groups to the lucrative captagon trade. Barrack stated that the province serves as a primary engine for the illicit drug market, providing the cash flow necessary for militias to purchase weapons. This assertion places the economic reality of the region at the center of a political dispute between Damascus and local spiritual leaders.
Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, made these remarks during an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal published on X on Friday. He described the area stretching from Sweida to Daraa as a global hub for manufacturing and selling the stimulant. Barrack compared the production process to the making of methamphetamine, noting that the revenue from this trade enables Druze groups to arm themselves effectively. He specifically cited that this corridor sources 90 percent of the country's captagon.
The comments target a specific figure within the Druze community, although Barrack did not name him directly in the interview. The envoy identified the target as a prominent sheikh who opposes the authority of Damascus. This individual has called for Israeli support and advocated for full independence from the Syrian government. Tensions surrounding this leader, identified in the source as Hikmat al-Hijri, have risen in recent months. Al-Hijri declared in May 2026 that the move toward self-determination for Jabal Bashan is irreversible.
Barrack criticized the sheikh for exploiting the perception of backing from both Israel and the United States. The envoy argued that this perceived alignment is used to target other members of the Druze community. He rejected the idea that Washington explicitly supports the leader, calling such claims absolutely wrong. The friction became visible earlier this month when supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. This event coincided with the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, marking a symbolic shift in how local factions present themselves.
The Bashan administration, affiliated with al-Hijri, responded to Barrack's accusations with a statement expressing profound anger. 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. The administration noted that the community has paid a high personal cost, including the sacrifice of young men, in the struggle to eradicate illicit drugs. This denial challenges the envoy's characterization of the local economy.
Barrack also addressed the relationship between Israel and the Druze, pointing to the communities in the Golan Heights and along the border. He observed that these groups have paid a significant price as allies alongside Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Israel has framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze, including strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida in July 2025. Barrack suggested that this dynamic complicates the political calculations for both local leaders and the central government.
The envoy noted that Syria has exercised restraint in response to Israeli incursions. He warned that aggressive retaliation from Damascus could trigger a wider conflict. Barrack stated that the Syrian government has been patient in allowing Israel to maintain a perceived buffer zone. This patience is viewed as a strategic choice to prevent localized friction from exploding into a larger war. The current dynamic relies on this calculated restraint despite ongoing military presence.
Negotiations between Israel and Syria are described as an ongoing process of building trust. Barrack highlighted that the two sides have held five rounds of border and boundary talks since May 2024. The discussions began in Paris and continue despite continuing mistrust along the shared border. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has made it clear he does not desire a confrontation with Israel. However, Barrack acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria's new leadership, citing 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 expressed confidence in the trajectory of these discussions, stating that while the parties have come close to an agreement before, he believes they will reach a final understanding again. The envoy's remarks place the economic and military dynamics of the south at the forefront of the diplomatic process. The interplay between drug revenue, militia armament, and border politics continues to shape the region's stability.
