This month, a surge of violence in Syria underscores the government's inability to unify its military forces, as attacks by insurgents lead to retaliatory violence and civilian casualties.
Syria Faces New Wave of Violence Amid Struggles for Control
Syria Faces New Wave of Violence Amid Struggles for Control
Tensions flare as sectarian violence highlights challenges in consolidating power in post-war Syria.
Syria is grappling with the aftermath of a recent wave of violence that erupted this month, reflecting the challenges the new administration faces in consolidating control over its military forces. The surge began when factions aligned with the former regime attacked government troops in northwestern regions, escalating tensions in the already fragile state.
Experts warn that this situation reveals the government's struggles to maintain authority over various armed groups, some operating under its command while others remain independent. The confrontations reportedly took place in coastal provinces central to the Alawite community—the minority sect linked to the previous administration.
Originating from anti-government insurgents, these attacks prompted a robust response from security forces, alongside armed groups and civilians. Witnesses and human rights organizations indicate that as fighters combed through the regions, targeting suspected opponents of the new regime, violence escalated to include civilian casualties, looting, and sectarian killings directed primarily against Alawite residents.
The newly formed government, primarily composed of individuals from Syria’s Sunni majority, grapples with the legacy of the Assad regime, which consistently favored Alawites in military and security posts. This historical context further complicates the path towards reconciliation and stabilization, as many Sunnis perceive Alawites as representative of the previous regime's brutality during the prolonged civil war.
This recent outburst of violence raises questions about the effectiveness of the new president’s plans to create a unified national army from the disparate factions that once fought against Assad, revealing the intricate and perilous paths that lie ahead for Syria's future.
Experts warn that this situation reveals the government's struggles to maintain authority over various armed groups, some operating under its command while others remain independent. The confrontations reportedly took place in coastal provinces central to the Alawite community—the minority sect linked to the previous administration.
Originating from anti-government insurgents, these attacks prompted a robust response from security forces, alongside armed groups and civilians. Witnesses and human rights organizations indicate that as fighters combed through the regions, targeting suspected opponents of the new regime, violence escalated to include civilian casualties, looting, and sectarian killings directed primarily against Alawite residents.
The newly formed government, primarily composed of individuals from Syria’s Sunni majority, grapples with the legacy of the Assad regime, which consistently favored Alawites in military and security posts. This historical context further complicates the path towards reconciliation and stabilization, as many Sunnis perceive Alawites as representative of the previous regime's brutality during the prolonged civil war.
This recent outburst of violence raises questions about the effectiveness of the new president’s plans to create a unified national army from the disparate factions that once fought against Assad, revealing the intricate and perilous paths that lie ahead for Syria's future.
