Sectarian violence risks dividing syria despite ahmed sharaa’s diplomacy

Sectarian violence risks dividing syria despite ahmed sharaa’s diplomacy

In Syria’s northeast, Kurds resist integration after 14 years of war, demand constitutional recognition; in southeast, Druze seek independence after clashes with govt. forces; in northwest, Alawite leader says Sharaa’s rule threatens survival after pro-govt. Sunni militants massacred civilians in March.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has won major diplomatic victories since seizing power nine months ago, but he risks losing the battle that matters most: to hold his deeply divided country together. In Syria’s northeast, Kurdish forces are resisting integration into the state after 14 years of civil war, and are demanding a new constitution to recognise their rights. In the southeast, members of the Druze community are openly calling for independence after violent clashes with government forces. And, in Syria’s northwest, a leader of the Alawite community says Sharaa’s administration threatens its survival after Sunni militants affiliated to the government massacred hundreds of civilians there in March.

“How can we trust a state that turns its tanks against its own people?” asked Abu Bilal, a 45-year-old Druze, referring to clashes between government forces and Druze militia in the southern region of Sweida in July. “They’re pushing us toward partition.”

Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari last month called publicly for independence, accusing government-backed Bedouin forces of trying to “eliminate” the Druze. He thanked Israel for intervening, after it attacked army convoys in Sweida in July and struck the Defence Ministry building in Damascus. In parts of Sweida, Druze fighters now man checkpoints, patrol roads, and run local councils. A series of protests there last month saw people calling for independence and waving Israeli flags alongside the multi-coloured Druze banner.

Syrian officials have accused Israel of fanning sectarian divisions in an effort to destabilise Syria.

Israel has said it’s committed to protecting the Druze and keeping its border regions free from militants. Sharaa’s government has rejected calls for federalism or partitioning of the country, and said it wants to unite the country and rule for all Syrians.

A senior Syrian official said reconciliation in Sweida must begin with allowing displaced Bedouins and Druze to return to their homes and an exchange of prisoners between Sunni Arab and Druze militants as a means to gradually rebuild trust.

Mr. Sharaa has pledged to punish those responsible for the atrocities in Sweida and, in early September, Syrian authorities said they had detained members of the interior and defence ministries linked to the killings. But one person involved in efforts to mediate between the Druze and Sharaa’s administration said very little progress had been made since July’s clashes and a loose “alliance of minorities” was emerging in Syria with the backing of Israel.

Last month, 400 representatives of minority groups including Kurds, Alawites and Druze gathered to discuss a decentralised Syrian state at a meeting convened by Kurdish leaders in the northeastern city of Hassakeh. A statement from the talks called for a new constitution guaranteeing minorities’ rights.

Sharaa — a former al-Qaeda leader —scored a major diplomatic victory in May when he won recognition from U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting in Riyadh. The U.S. subsequently lifted most sanctions on Syria and the Trump administration has voiced its support for Mr. Sharaa’s efforts to unify and stabilise the country.

Turkish interest

In northeast Syria, the risk of a return to conflict looms if a Kurdish-led enclave there refuses to integrate into the central state under a deal brokered in March by Washington, according to sources.

Implementation of March’s deal — which would hand the central government control over valuable oil, gas, and electricity assets in the northeast — has stalled, with Kurdish authorities saying an interim constitution approved by Sharaa does not adequately protect minority rights. A senior Syrian official said that regional powerbroker Turkiye was growing impatient and would support military action against the Kurds. Ankara strongly opposes Kurdish autonomy and regards the enclave in northern Syria as a threat to its own security.

Damascus has asked Ankara to delay any military offensive to allow negotiations to unfold, the official said. Turkiye has agreed to provide training and munitions to Syria’s military, being rebuilt by Sharaa.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic forces — which Turkiye accuses of links to the PKK — enjoyed U.S. backing during Syria’s civil war, is well equipped and has tens of thousands of fighters under its command. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has publicly warned Kurdish forces to lay down their arms or “be buried with them.” Abdelwahab Khalil, a member of the SDF’s council, said its leadership supports integration with Syria’s central government “based on genuine partnership and constitutional recognition” of all Syrian components; military integration alone was not sufficient.

Syria’s Sunni heartlands suffered disproportionately during the civil war, with cities like Homs and Aleppo reduced to rubble. After five decades of corrupt rule by the Assad family, many Syrians are pleased power has returned to Sunni Arabs. Their main concern is whether the new administration can revive Syria’s economy, still reeling from sanctions and the civil war. While Sharaa pledges to govern for all Syrians, the massacre of hundreds of Alawites in coastal regions in March sparked fears of a backlash against minorities.

“We want a proper state: a rule of law — not a gang ruling us,” said Abu Hassan, in his 50s.