Envoy links Sweida militias to captagon cash

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack stated that Druze armed groups in southern Syria finance their weapons through the production and sale of captagon. Barrack made the comments in a Friday interview with commentator Mario Nawfal. He also criticized a prominent Druze sheikh for using perceived backing from Israel and Washington to target other members of the community.

Barrack identified the corridor between Sweida and Daraa as a global hub for captagon manufacture. He compared the scale of production to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The envoy said the revenue from this illicit trade allows local factions to arm themselves effectively. He did not name the sheikh in the interview, but the remarks align with growing tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri opposes Damascus and has called for full independence from the Syrian government.

The Bashan administration, affiliated with al-Hijri, rejected the accusations in a statement. The group denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically fought smuggling networks and has sacrificed young men in the effort. The administration expressed anger at what it described as an attack on the community’s reputation.

Earlier this month, supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida. The gathering marked the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks. Barrack said this gesture illustrates the complex dynamics in the region. He noted that Druze communities in the Golan Heights have fought alongside Israeli Defense Forces. Israel has framed its military interventions in southern Syria as efforts to protect the Druze, including strikes against Syrian forces in Sweida in July 2025.

Barrack said Syria has shown restraint in response to Israeli incursions. He warned that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict. He described Damascus’s patience as a strategic choice to prevent a larger war. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said he does not desire a confrontation with Israel. Barrack acknowledged that Israel remains wary of Syria’s new leadership due to Sharaa’s past with the al-Nusra Front.

The two nations have held five rounds of border and boundary talks since May 2024. These discussions began in Paris. Barrack expressed confidence that the sides will reach a final understanding. He noted that previous negotiations came close to an agreement before falling apart. The envoy described the current process as one of building trust despite continuing mistrust along the border.