Ankara: The US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak, has expressed concern over the escalating tensions in Suwaida, Syria, where armed gangs have begun to fill the void left by the absence of state authority.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Barak took to his X platform to comment on the attacks orchestrated by illegal armed groups affiliated with Hikmat al-Hijri, a Druze community leader in the region. Barak revealed that he had previously signed a “tripartite roadmap for peace in Suwaida” with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. This roadmap aims to reintegrate the province with full recognition of the Druze community’s rights, emphasizing it as the sole path to prevent further suffering.

Barak highlighted that in the absence of effective state governance, gangs have stepped in, with individuals harboring “poisonous intentions” turning against their own communities. He cited the arbitrary detention and eviction of Atef Huneidi, who had criticized al-Hijri’s monopolization of the Druze community’s voice, as a prime example of the growing unrest.

The ambassador emphasized ongoing communication between the American team and those affected by the conflict, including Huneidi, to foster cooperation and understanding between the Druze and Arab tribes. Barak stressed the necessity of ensuring that weapons remain under state control to prevent further chaos.

Barak also noted a promising development in July when the Syrian government began holding its forces accountable for crimes, marking a step towards justice that must be maintained. He concluded by urging all parties to engage in “restraint and sincere communication,” warning that the failure to dialogue would only lead to continued suffering rather than resolution.

The situation in Suwaida remains tense, with the Internal Security Command recently reporting injuries to 10 members after “outlaw groups” targeted positions in the province. Armed groups loyal to al-Hijri continue to attempt to disrupt public life and spread chaos since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Following these events, al-Hijri has called for Suwaida’s secession from the central government and established ties with Israel, receiving overt support.