Barrack: 90 percent of Syrian captagon trade flows from Sweida to Daraa
US envoy accuses Druze sheikh of using perceived Israeli ties to target rivals and claims drug revenue arms local militias.
By Carolina Wood ·
US Special Envoy Tom Barrack stated on Friday that the captagon trade between Sweida and Daraa accounts for 90 percent of Syria's illicit drug market. He described the region as a global hub for the manufacture and sale of the stimulant, comparing its production methods to those used for methamphetamine.
Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, made the comments in an interview with commentator Mario Nawfal published on X. He argued that the revenue from this trade allows Druze armed groups in the province to finance their weapons effectively.
The envoy directed sharp criticism at a prominent Druze spiritual leader in southern Syria, alleging that the figure uses the perception of Israeli and American backing to target other members of the community. Although Barrack did not name the individual, his remarks align with rising tensions surrounding Hikmat al-Hijri. Al-Hijri is a Sweida-based leader who opposes Damascus, has called for Israeli support, and advocates for full independence from the Syrian government.
Barrack rejected the idea that Washington explicitly supports the sheikh, calling such claims absolutely wrong. He noted that supporters of al-Hijri raised Israeli flags during a rally in Sweida earlier this month. The gathering marked the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, a symbolic act that intensified scrutiny on the region's internal politics.
In response to the envoy's comments, the Bashan administration issued a statement expressing anger and condemnation. The group is affiliated with al-Hijri and denied that Jabal Bashan is a center for captagon production. They argued that the community has historically fought smuggling networks and that its young men have paid a high personal cost in the struggle to eradicate illicit drugs.
Al-Hijri declared in May 2026 that the move toward self-determination is irreversible. He emphasized the goal of establishing a fully independent administration for Jabal Bashan that is entirely distinct from the government in Damascus. This push for autonomy has complicated the political dynamics in the region and its relationship with neighboring powers.
Barrack observed that Syria has exercised restraint in response to Israeli incursions, warning that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider conflict. He cited five rounds of border and boundary talks between the two nations, which began in Paris in May 2024. The envoy expressed confidence that the parties will reach a final understanding, noting that President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated he does not desire a confrontation with Israel.
