US envoy: Israel’s actions in Syria "complicate everything"

US Special Representative for Syria and Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, has said that Washington and Israel do not share a unified stance on Syria, and described Israel’s military activities in the country as a complicating factor rather than a stabilising one.

Speaking during a Syria-focused briefing at the US State Department, Barrack stated that the United States and Israel “do not have a common understanding” regarding the situation in Syria.

“We want Syria to reach stability,” he said, emphasising that the US is cooperating closely with the Syrian government and neighbouring countries, particularly Türkiye, to help bring about such an outcome.

When asked whether Israel’s actions were aiding the stabilisation process in Syria, Barrack responded bluntly: “No, they are not. Does it complicate the situation? Yes, it complicates everything.”

He further elaborated: “In my opinion, Israel is not an aggressor, but [its actions] do not contribute to the process. They do not contribute because we do not have a common understanding [on Syria].”

Barrack also noted that Israel remains highly sensitive about its borders. “Syria does not want war with Israel,” he said. “In my personal opinion, Israel is not focused on Syria; they say they will expand the Golan Heights to the Iranian border. They want a clean zone with reliable partners between themselves and Iran. They want to see Iran and say that no one should interfere with us between here and Iran.”

By Tamilla Hasanova