US envoy accuses Druze sheikh of using its backing to persecute other members of the community

US envoy Tom Barrack has criticised a prominent Druze leader in southern Syria, accusing him of exploiting the perception of Israeli backing and US support to persecute other members of the community. Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, made the remarks in an interview with the commentator Mario Nawfal published on X on Friday. Barrack said his concern was not Israel but “a particular Druze sheikh”, whom he accused of using perceived Israeli backing and an apparent alignment with Washington to persecute other Druze. “But let me tell you what, it’s not Israel that worries me. It’s a particular Druze sheikh who utilises the perception of Israeli backing and some alignment with America to persecute other Druze”. Read more: US envoy accuses Druze sheikh of using its backing to persecute other members of the community US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, during a press conference following the Nato summit in Ankara on 8 July 2026 (Altan Gocher/Hans Lucas via Reuters Connect)