Syria is experiencing both peril and promise as interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa navigates post-Assad challenges. Recent sectarian violence revealed significant risks, but diplomatic progress resulted in the unification of Kurdish forces with the national army. Experts underscore that the nation still faces threats of civil war and divisions among ethnic communities, necessitating strong governmental actions to foster unity and stability.
In recent events, Syria has displayed both peril and promise, particularly under the leadership of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Following the past week’s sectarian violence, diplomatic efforts led to the unification of Kurdish-led forces in the northeast with the new national army. However, experts warn that the potential for renewed civil war or ethnic division remains a significant risk, necessitating more efforts to protect lives and build a unified society.
The situation escalated last Thursday with clashes between government forces and those loyal to former President Bashar Assad, leading to deadly sectarian revenge attacks and civilian deaths, largely among the Sunni Alawite minority. Despite a governmental crackdown and a return to calm, analysts emphasize that the reforms needed for true unification and stability remain incomplete.
While many armed factions pledged to collaborate with the national army, practical integration has yet to occur. One military adviser stated, “This is not a professional army,” highlighting that factions continue to operate independently rather than under a unified command.
Syria’s government faced challenges during the recent violence, relying on undisciplined forces, which exacerbated the situation. As a result, a new agreement was forged with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge them into the national army, providing a critical political victory for al-Sharaa.
This landmark agreement secured control over key resources and areas, yet numerous details remain unresolved, such as the management of Islamic State prisoners. The merging of forces was facilitated by international stakeholders, particularly the U.S. and Turkey, keen on maintaining stability and preventing further divisions in Syria.
Challenges persist for the interim government as Israel continues to expand its presence in southern Syria and western sanctions linger. Public sentiment, especially among minority groups like the Alawites, reflects growing skepticism and fear toward the new authorities, emphasizing the need for strong measures against violence to restore trust and stability in the nation.
Syria’s recent week of violence juxtaposed with diplomatic progress illustrates the complexities the interim government faces in achieving unity post-Assad. Despite the formation of a new national army through strategic agreements with Kurdish forces, underlying tensions and risks of renewed conflict remain prevalent. Moving forward, the new leadership must adopt robust measures to foster security, stability, and trust among diverse communities to secure long-term peace and reconstruction in Syria.
Original Source: apnews.com
