BEIRUT (AP) — In a show of unwavering support, a U.S. envoy insisted on Monday that the United States remains committed to working with Syria’s new government, asserting that there exists “no Plan B” for uniting a nation still suffering from the repercussions of a devastating civil war coupled with emerging sectarian conflicts.
Tom Barrack, who serves as ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria with a short-term mandate in Lebanon, spoke exclusively to The Associated Press in Beirut. His comments followed a week marked by intense clashes in Syria’s southern province of Sweida, where confrontations erupted between militias representing the Druze religious minority and Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes.
Syrian government forces initially intervened in these clashes, aiming to restore order but ultimately sided with the Bedouins before withdrawing under a ceasefire agreement with Druze factions. The violence has resulted in hundreds of fatalities, and reports suggest some government fighters committed acts of violence against Druze civilians, including shootings, arson, and looting of homes.
Last week, Israel intervened on behalf of the Druze, a minority perceived as loyal to the Israeli state and often serving in its military. This intervention saw Israel launching numerous strikes against Syrian government forces in Sweida, alongside an attack on the Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus.
In a recent statement, Barrack announced a ceasefire reached between Syria and Israel, indicating that Syrian government forces had repositioned themselves in Sweida to prevent further clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions. Civilians from both groups were scheduled for evacuation shortly after the ceasefire was put in place.
Addressing the complexity of the situation, Barrack described the violence as “intolerable,” while recognizing the efforts of the current Syrian government. He stated, “in my opinion, [the government] has conducted themselves as best they can as a nascent government with very few resources to address the multiplicity of issues that arise in trying to bring a diverse society together.”
Despite his acknowledgment of the government’s struggles, Barrack added that the Syrian authorities “need to be held accountable” for their actions during the conflict.
Regarding Israel’s recent military actions in Syria, Barrack clarified that the United States was neither consulted nor involved in the decision-making process regarding those strikes, which Israel deemed necessary for its self-defense. However, he criticized the timing of Israel’s intervention, expressing concern that it has complicated the already volatile situation in the region.
Prior to the outbreak of violence in Sweida, dialogues between Israel and Syria over security matters had been in progress, driven by the U.S. administration’s previous push for full diplomatic normalization between the two nations. Following the resurgence of hostilities, Barrack noted that Israel had concerns about military activities south of Damascus, which it viewed as critical and requiring prior agreement.
The ceasefire achieved over the weekend solely addresses the ongoing conflict in Sweida, according to Barrack, emphasizing that broader issues remain unresolved, particularly Israel’s claims over the necessity of a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.
“Both sides did the best they can” in negotiating the terms relative to the movement of Syrian forces and equipment from Damascus to Sweida, Barrack reported, while raising a broader question regarding Israel’s right to intervene in a sovereign state.
Moreover, he suggested that Israel may prefer a fragmented Syria, believing that strong, centralized nation-states pose threats, particularly from Arab nations. In contrast, Barrack contended that minority communities within Syria realize the benefits of remaining unified and centralized.
In an understanding of the situation from the Israeli perspective, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on social media that the strikes against Syria were essential in stopping the assault on the Druze population, emphasizing their kinship with the Druze in Israel, dismissing critics as misinformed.
The violence in Sweida has exacerbated distrust among various minority ethnic and religious groups in Syria towards the newly formed government, which comprises former Sunni Muslim insurgents who overthrew long-time autocrat Bashar Assad during a significant military offensive in December.
The attacks against Druze civilians followed a series of revenge attacks earlier this year that left hundreds of Alawite civilians dead on the Syrian coast, intensifying tensions across sectarian lines. While interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has publicly promised to safeguard minority groups and take action against anyone targeting civilians, many minor groups feel that the government has not done enough to alleviate their fears.
At the same time, Damascus has been pursuing negotiations with Kurdish forces controlling much of northeast Syria in an effort to integrate the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian national army. Barrack, after discussions with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, conveyed optimism that the unrest in Sweida would not hinder these negotiations, suggesting a possible breakthrough in the upcoming weeks.
Additionally, Turkey, seeking to limit the Kurdish influence bordering its territory and with strained relations with Israel, has offered defense support to Syria. However, Barrack stated that the U.S. holds “no position” on a potential defense pact between Turkey and Syria, clarifying that it is not the United States’ role to intervene in the relations of neighboring nations.
The situation in Lebanon following Barrack’s visit also reflects ongoing international and domestic pressures regarding the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah’s disarmament after a tumultuous war with Israel, culminating in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement last November.
At a press conference, Barrack characterized the ceasefire agreement as ineffective. He noted the continuation of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts. In response to calls for disarmament, Hezbollah has made it clear that it will not discuss the issue until Israel ceases its military strikes and withdraws from southern Lebanon.
While the U.S. has called for Hezbollah’s disarmament, Barrack framed the issue as one for Lebanon to decide independently: “There’s no consequence, there’s no threat, there’s no whip, we’re here on a voluntary basis trying to usher in a solution,” he stated. He further emphasized the limitations of the United States in influencing Israeli actions regarding ceasefire terms.
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