Washington Fully Supports Current Syrian Government, Won’t Tolerate Israeli Meddling – Tom Barrack

Washington Fully Supports Current Syrian Government, Won’t Tolerate Israeli Meddling – Tom Barrack

[Beirut, July 21, 2025] — The United States has reaffirmed its full support for Syria’s current government, stating that Washington has "no alternative plan" regarding engagement with the country. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack delivered this message amid Syria’s ongoing 14-year civil war and recent sectarian violence.

Syria Striving to Unite a Diverse Society – Barrack

In an interview with the Associated Press in Beirut, Barrack said, “The current Syrian government, in my view, is doing its utmost with limited resources to unify a diverse society.”

Recently, deadly clashes broke out in southern Syria’s Suwayda province between the Druze and local Sunni Bedouin groups, leaving over a hundred people dead. Although government forces initially intervened, they later withdrew through a ceasefire agreement with Druze militias.

Israeli Interference Adds New Complications

During this tense period, Israel intervened in support of the Druze—an ethnic minority also present within Israel and represented in its military. Israel launched over a dozen airstrikes on Syrian government convoys in Suwayda and even targeted the Defense Ministry in Damascus.

Barrack revealed that he brokered a ceasefire between Syria and Israel on Saturday, although he did not disclose further details. Syrian forces have since redeployed to Suwayda, and both sides began evacuating civilians on Monday.

Commenting on the Israeli strikes, Barrack stated, “The United States was not involved in this decision, nor did we participate. It was an independent Israeli move for self-defense. However, it has triggered a confusing new chapter, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.”

Trump Administration’s Diplomatic Push and Israel’s Strategic Posture

Barrack also noted that Israel and Syria had been engaged in security discussions recently, with the Trump administration encouraging the normalization of diplomatic relations.

However, when the Suwayda clashes began, Israel labeled southern Damascus as a “gray zone” and blamed Syria for failing to consult with them before any military action. “The new Syrian government did not adopt that viewpoint,” said Barrack.

He emphasized that the current ceasefire is a limited arrangement focused only on Suwayda and that broader Israel-Syria tensions remain unresolved—especially concerning Israel’s demand to designate southern Damascus as a demilitarized zone, which is still in limbo.

‘Israel Prefers a Divided Syria’ – U.S. Envoy Accuses

“Whether Israel can intervene in a sovereign country is a different question,” said Barrack. “But I believe Israel likely prefers a fractured and divided Syria over a strong central government—because strong Arab states are seen as a threat by Israel.”

However, Barrack concluded by saying, “Syria’s minority communities are politically aware enough to realize that unity under a central government is the safest and most beneficial option for them.”