U.S. Envoy Backs Syria’s Government, Slams Israel’s Intervention/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack reaffirmed support for Syria’s transitional government and criticized recent Israeli military strikes in the country. Speaking from Beirut, Barrack said Israel’s intervention has complicated efforts to unify Syria and undermines regional diplomacy. The comments follow deadly clashes in Sweida between Druze and Bedouin factions.
U.S. Stance on Syria and Israel: Quick Looks
- U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack says Syria’s new government is Washington’s only partner
- Barrack calls Israeli strikes on Syria “badly timed” and “confusing”
- Ceasefire brokered between Israel and Syria amid Sweida violence
- Clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes kill hundreds
- Syrian forces briefly backed Bedouins before withdrawing
- Israel intervened militarily to defend Syria’s Druze minority
- Barrack suggests Israel prefers fragmented Syria, not strong central control
- U.S. sees progress in talks between Damascus and Kurdish-led SDF
U.S. Envoy Backs Syria’s Government, Slams Israel’s Intervention
Deep Look
In a high-profile statement on Monday, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack reaffirmed America’s commitment to working with Syria’s transitional government, while sharply criticizing Israel’s military intervention in the country’s escalating internal conflict. Speaking in Beirut after a deadly week in southern Syria, Barrack declared, “There is no Plan B” to supporting the newly formed Syrian leadership.
The comments follow intense clashes in Sweida province, where violence erupted between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias. Government forces initially stepped in under the guise of restoring order, only to reportedly side with the Bedouins. The resulting bloodshed and sectarian tension led Israel to intervene militarily, launching strikes on government convoys in Sweida and hitting the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus.
Barrack: Syria’s Fragile Unity Must Be Preserved
Barrack praised Syria’s nascent leadership—formed after the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar Assad last December—as working to unify a fractured nation despite limited resources.
“The killing, the revenge, the massacres on both sides are intolerable,” Barrack told the Associated Press. “But the current government of Syria, in my opinion, has conducted themselves as best they can.”
The envoy also acknowledged that the Syrian government must be held accountable for any violations, including the alleged targeting of Druze civilians by state forces.
Yet Barrack emphasized that abandoning support for Syria’s transitional government would destabilize the country further. “We have no alternative partner,” he said.
Israel’s Role Sparks Diplomatic Tension
Barrack expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s recent military strikes, stating that the United States was neither consulted nor involved. He described the action as “another very confusing chapter” that occurred “at a very bad time” in diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
The Israeli government justified its actions as a defensive response to prevent the massacre of Druze civilians—an ethnic group with close ties to Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz later defended the strikes on social media, asserting,
“Whoever criticizes the attacks are not familiar with the facts.”
Barrack, however, suggested Israel’s deeper interest may lie in maintaining a divided Syria. “Strong nation-states, especially Arab states, are viewed as a threat to Israel,” he said. “But I think the minority communities in Syria understand they are better off under a centralized government.”
He added that the recent ceasefire between Israel and Syria, which he helped broker, was limited in scope and focused only on halting violence in Sweida. Broader issues—such as Israel’s demand that the area south of Damascus be demilitarized—remain unresolved.
Sweida Violence Deepens Minority Distrust
The clashes in Sweida have fueled rising distrust among Syria’s minority communities, including the Druze, Kurds, and Alawites. The new Sunni-led government has promised protection and inclusivity, but critics say it has failed to prevent or adequately respond to sectarian attacks.
Earlier in the year, revenge killings targeted Alawite civilians along Syria’s coastal areas, and now Druze communities fear a similar fate. These incidents have cast doubt on the ability of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to govern inclusively and ensure minority rights.
Still, Barrack remains hopeful. “The path forward is difficult,” he said, “but it’s a path that requires continued commitment and pressure—not abandonment.”
Kurdish Talks Offer Glimmer of Unity
Meanwhile, Damascus continues negotiations with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which control much of northeast Syria. Talks focus on integrating the SDF into the national army. Barrack, who spoke with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi over the weekend, said he remains optimistic that a deal is within reach. “There could be a breakthrough in the coming weeks,” he stated.
The integration of Kurdish forces would represent a major step toward national cohesion, especially given Turkey’s concerns about Kurdish influence along its southern border. Ankara has offered military assistance to Syria in exchange for limiting Kurdish autonomy—a proposal Barrack said the U.S. would not interfere with.
“It’s not in the U.S.’s business or interest to tell neighboring countries how to manage their bilateral security relationships,” he added.
Ceasefire’s Limits and Regional Stakes
While the recently announced ceasefire in Sweida has halted large-scale fighting for now, Barrack emphasized that it is only a short-term fix.
“It does not address long-term political or territorial questions,” he said.
Efforts by the Trump administration to push Syria and Israel toward diplomatic normalization have also stalled. Tensions over border zones and Israel’s expectation of control over military activities south of Damascus remain major sticking points.
Despite the unrest, Barrack maintains that working with Syria’s central government remains the only viable route to ending the country’s decade-long instability. The risk, he warned, is that continued foreign intervention could unravel fragile progress and reignite full-scale civil war.
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