Syria After Assad: Persistent Sectarian Tensions Under New Leadership

Syria’s new leadership faces unresolved sectarian tensions despite Bashar al-Assad’s removal. Recent violent incidents illustrate the struggles between reassuring minorities and appeasing jihadist factions, reflecting deep-rooted social divisions.

Following the removal of Bashar al-Assad, Syria continues to face significant sectarian tensions. The newly established rulers struggle to balance the need to reassure minority groups while simultaneously appeasing their jihadist supporters. Recent incidents exemplify the ongoing volatility, including a shootout in Latakia where security forces killed four individuals, notably an army officer who was promised protection under an amnesty.

In Qardaha, Bashar al-Assad’s ancestral home, tension escalated when locals attacked a police station after a protester was shot during the establishment of a checkpoint. That evening, unrest spread to three coastal cities as supporters of the Sunni Islamist government clashed with members of Assad’s Alawite sect, reportedly brandishing weapons and extremist symbols. The turmoil was further illustrated two days later in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, where armed confrontations ensued between government forces and local Druze residents as the former attempted to remove barricades.

The political landscape in Syria remains fraught with challenges as the new government grapples with entrenched sectarian divisions. Despite the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, incidents of violence and social unrest indicate that the path toward stability and cohesion will not be easily achieved. The necessity for a balanced approach that addresses the concerns of all sectarian groups is vital in fostering peace and rebuilding the nation.

Original Source: www.economist.com