Druze experts condemn Tom Barrack's accusations against Syrian Druze, warn of sectarian violence

Israeli experts have expressed concern over US envoy Tom Barrack's accusations against Syrian Druze, warning that his remarks could spark sectarian violence. In an interview, Barrack claimed the area between Sweida and Daraa was a major "captagon manufacturing operation of the world" and accused a Druze sheik of using American and Israeli backing to persecute other Druze.

Although he did not name the sheik, his comments were widely interpreted as referring to Sheik Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze spiritual leader who has advocated for Israeli support. The allegations have been seen as highly irresponsible and untruthful, with Israeli Druze diplomat and historian Dr. Reda Mansour describing Barrack's statements as "baseless" and risking "sectarian violence and targeted jihadi attacks."

The Druze community in southern Syria has been a target of sectarian massacres and sporadic violence, with over 1,300 Druze killed in July 2025 alone. Dr. Zena Mansour, another Lebanese academic, accused Barrack of targeting the Druze minority due to its defiance and of covering up the jihadist landscape in Syria. Critics argue that Barrack's accusations undermine confidence in the Druze community's aspirations for self-determination and contribute to the dangerous situation in the region.