US envoy meets top Israeli Druze leader to discuss situation in Syria’s Sweida

US envoy Tom Barrack met Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Syria’s Sweida, where recent armed clashes left hundreds dead and heightened concerns over instability in the south.

“Today I had a warm and informative meeting with Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif and his team,” Barrack said in a post on X. “We discussed the situation in Sweida and how to bring together the interests of all parties, de-escalate tensions, and build understanding.”

Sweida, a majority-Druze region in southern Syria, has seen rare but deadly outbreaks of violence in recent months amid deepening frustration over economic collapse, corruption, and local clashes with armed groups.