U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack has warned Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to swiftly adopt more inclusive policies or risk losing international support and fragmenting the nation. The warning follows renewed sectarian violence in Syria’s southern Sweida province that left hundreds dead.
Barrack, speaking to Reuters in Beirut, urged Sharaa to recalibrate his Islamist-leaning governance and reconsider aspects of Syria’s former army structure. He also recommended Sharaa scale back religious indoctrination and seek regional security cooperation. “Sharaa needs to act fast, or he’ll lose the momentum that brought him to power,” Barrack stated, emphasizing that adaptation is key to maintaining stability.
Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda faction leader, took power after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad in December. Though he pledged to protect Syria’s sectarian minorities, that promise has been undermined by recent violence targeting the Druze and Alawite communities. Israel intervened with airstrikes, claiming to prevent massacres against Druze civilians by government troops.
Barrack disputed reports that Syrian forces were behind the violence, suggesting ISIS militants may have posed as government troops. He emphasized that Syrian forces had not entered the city, per a ceasefire agreement brokered with Israel.
With no clear successor to Sharaa, Barrack warned of potential chaos similar to Libya or Afghanistan if the current regime collapses. He criticized Israel’s airstrikes, saying they added “confusion,” but called for open dialogue between Israel and Syria’s new Sunni leadership.
Barrack concluded that the U.S. is not dictating Syria’s political future but stressed the importance of stability, inclusion, and unity. He left open the possibility of a federalist government, saying, “Everybody may now need to adapt.”