Rising Violence in Syria Highlights Government's Weak Control

An outbreak of violence in northwestern Syria illustrates the new government's struggles to assert control over various armed groups and highlights the sectarian divisions that continue to plague the country.

A recent surge of violence in northwestern Syria has thrust the new government into the spotlight, revealing its struggles to unify the country's diverse armed factions and restore order. Experts contend that this situation uncovers the leadership's insufficient control over affiliated forces and an inability to rein in rogue elements within its ranks.

The turmoil began on March 6, when opposition forces linked to the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime launched coordinated attacks against government troops in two coastal provinces, primarily inhabited by the Alawite sect. The government's response was swift, mobilizing its security apparatus along with other militias and armed civilians, according to eyewitness accounts, human rights organizations, and analysts.

As a result, security forces fanned across Latakia and Tartus provinces, engaging in violent reprisals against suspected insurgents. However, civilian casualties were tragically high, with reports of extensive shelling in residential areas, looting, and sectarian-targeted killings. The victims largely belonged to the Alawite community, suggesting a dangerous continuation of the sectarian violence that characterized the country's long civil conflict.

The newly established government and its security forces are largely comprised of members from the Sunni Muslim majority. In contrast, the civilian casualties primarily came from the Alawite community, closely associated with the old Assad regime. During the decades of his rule, the Alawites were often favored in military and security roles, leading many Sunni factions to harbor resentment and further complicating any attempts at reconciliation.

This violent outburst underscores the stark divisions that persist within Syrian society and raises questions about the government's capacity to successfully consolidate power or forge a cohesive national identity. The recent events remind observers how crucial it is for the new leadership to address these sectarian tensions if they hope to achieve true stability in the region.