United States Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack held a meeting last Friday with several figures from the Alawite community on Syria’s coast, discussing human rights, security concerns and economic conditions, according to Syrian journalist and activist Loubna Mrie.
Mrie, writing on Facebook on Tuesday, said the meeting addressed a wide range of issues, including the conditions of detainees, kidnapping cases, sectarian rhetoric and the need to preserve civil peace. Her post sought to clarify what she described as widespread confusion surrounding the nature and purpose of the discussions.
She noted that participants raised the detainees’ file and the importance of curbing inflammatory sectarian discourse, which she said often originates from circles close to the Syrian government. Economic matters were also discussed, including development prospects in the coastal region, job creation and pension and social security rights for military and Ministry of Interior retirees who served between 2011 and 2024.
On human rights, Mrie said attendees stressed the need to address kidnapping cases with seriousness and to allow international human rights organizations to support victims. She added that proposals included establishing a clearly defined civil peace body with genuine executive authority, headed by a neutral figure trusted by both the Syrian government and the Alawite community.
Mrie’s post did not indicate whether any commitments were made by the United States envoy or whether follow‑up steps were agreed upon.
In an interview with CNN on 29 October, Barrack discussed the broader security and political challenges facing Syria, including issues affecting the Alawite, Druze and Kurdish communities. He highlighted the difficulties of attracting foreign investment under current economic and security conditions, citing a weak banking system and persistent constraints. Barrack said rebuilding Syria’s economy and achieving stability will require time.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
