Tom Brack: Washington Did Not Ask Syria to Disarm Hezbollah Despite Reports of a 'Green Light'

The U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Brack, denied reports that Washington encouraged Damascus to intervene in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.
Brack stated in a post on the platform 'X' that 'the reports claiming that the United States is encouraging Syria to send troops to Lebanon are false and inaccurate,' in an official position that seeks to refute what has been widely circulated.

Despite the U.S. denial, informed sources revealed – according to Reuters – that Washington had indeed discussed with Syria the possibility of sending troops to eastern Lebanon to assist in disarming Hezbollah.
According to those sources, Damascus showed clear hesitation, fearing being drawn into a wider conflict in the Middle East, in addition to concerns about fueling sectarian tensions within the region.

Sources reported that the idea was first proposed during meetings between U.S. and Syrian officials last year, before being discussed again with the escalation of the war between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other.
Various accounts indicated differing timings for its re-proposal, with Syrian officials stating it preceded the war slightly, while intelligence sources suggested it came immediately after its outbreak.

According to governmental and diplomatic sources, the Syrian leadership is studying the scenario very cautiously, amid potential risks including:
Iranian missile attacks
Increased tension with the Shiite community
Threat to internal stability following previous sectarian events
Damascus also fears that any military intervention in Lebanon could complicate the security situation in the region.

Conversely, some sources spoke of Washington granting a 'green light' for a potential operation in eastern Lebanon to support the Lebanese government in the disarmament of Hezbollah.
However, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department declined to comment on what he described as 'private diplomatic correspondence,' leaving the door open for interpretations.

Militarily, Syria has bolstered its military presence on the border with Lebanon since early February, deploying missile units and thousands of soldiers, asserting that these movements are 'defensive.'
These reinforcements come amid rising regional tensions, especially with ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.

Despite the historical tension between Damascus and both Hezbollah and Iran at certain stages, particularly during the Syrian war from 2011 to 2024, the current Syrian leadership adopts a cautious approach.
This direction reflects an attempt to avoid engaging in a wide regional conflict that could threaten the country's stability at a sensitive stage.