Washington and Tel Aviv on Divergent Paths in Suwayda: Barak Declares Support for Damascus, Not Al-Hajri

U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barak revealed a clear divergence between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding the Suwayda file, indicating in public statements that the United States supports extending Damascus authority over the southern province rather than backing a group linked to Sheikh Hekmeth Al-Hajri, a prominent political and religious figure.

The National Guard, a Druze armed group linked to Al-Hajri, is accused of receiving Israeli support and pursuing separatist objectives. Analysts view Barak's statement as a direct message to Israel that Israeli support does not equate to American backing.

Nouwar Shaban, a researcher on security and military affairs at the Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies, told Al Jazeera that his message "was entirely clear: Israeli support for Al-Hajri does not equal American support," adding that Washington has prioritized an agreement with Damascus, while Israel maintains its own security demands and independent relationships.

Syrian researcher Nanar Hawash added that Barak's statements "reveal disagreements with Israel," noting that Washington seeks to build a partner in Damascus, while Israel appears to prefer a weakened Damascus.

Barak, who is close to U.S. President Donald Trump and serves as ambassador to Turkey, made his statements on Friday during a conversation with Australian public figure Mario Nawwab on platform X. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the United States has been gradually rebuilding its relations with Damascus and its leader Ahmad al-Sharaa.

In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a position toward the new Syrian government that differs fundamentally from the American stance; Israel entered Syria immediately following Assad's fall and annexed territory in the Quneitra province.