Syria's minorities will continue to live in fear
Renewed violence in Syria raises questions over President al-Sharaa’s commitment to leaving his jihadist past behind him, and the degree of control he wields over his own forces.
Events in Syria again give witness to why minorities there live in fear. This week, it was the Druze. Before that, it was the Alawites. Add to them the Kurds. They also know their lives are at risk in an unstable region in which Sunni Arab religious extremists want to wipe them out.
The renewed violence in Syria gives cause to question if President Ahmed al-Sharaa has really foresworn his jihadist past. If not, then the man who led the main group which overthrew President Assad may be responsible for the killings taking place. If he has reformed, then another question arises: is he in control of his forces?
Last Sunday, clashes broke out in the southern province of Sweida between the Druze and Bedouin communities. There is a long history of enmity between them. On Monday, an armoured column of government forces set out from Damascus to “enforce security”. However, once the column arrived images quickly emerged of both Bedouin forces and jihadist militiamen riding on government vehicles. Local people said there was a wave of shootings, looting and arson as government troops and their allies rampaged through Druze neighbourhoods. At least 200 men, women, and children are thought to have died.
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