US Envoy Tom Barrack clarifies Golan Heights remarks

Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq, has clarified remarks regarding the status of the Golan Heights following controversy over his previous statements. In a recent interview, Barrack stated that Israel occupies the Golan Heights and noted an international consensus that the territory is Syrian land according to United Nations resolutions.

Following the backlash, Barrack issued a statement clarifying that his comments were intended to describe the territory’s historical status rather than to endorse a specific United Nations position. He emphasized that US policy on the Golan Heights remains unchanged from the position set by President Donald Trump in 2019, which recognized Israeli sovereignty over the area.

Barrack explained that his reference to the Golan was meant to illustrate how territory acquired by force remains contested for generations, using it as a comparison to current tensions in Lebanon. Additionally, Barrack addressed regional security, mentioning Israeli strikes on a Syrian airbase and intelligence regarding potential Turkish military movements in Syrian territory.