Title: Tensions persist in Damascus as clashes erupt between Islamist factions
When news in Syria intensifies, the focus invariably turns to Damascus, which remains a hotbed of persistent tensions and conflict. Recent clashes between Islamist factions have once again rocked the capital, revealing cracks in the tumultuous political landscape that has emerged since the overthrow of Bashar Assad.
Tensions reached a critical level this week, with deadly clashes between the ruling Islamists and supporters of the ousted Assad regime. The violence has claimed the lives of six Islamist fighters, according to a UK-based war monitoring group. The fighting erupted during an attempt to arrest a former senior Assad government official, accused of issuing execution orders and arbitrary trials against thousands of prisoners.
The group behind the offensive, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has emerged as a dominant force that helped to overthrow Assad. However, the transition to a new government has proven more complex than expected, with tensions running high between the various factions.
In Damascus, the streets echo with the sounds of internal conflict, with clashes between Alawite supporters and Sunni counter-protesters. These scenes of violence illustrate the fragility of the current situation, with the spectre of sectarian conflict resurfacing.
In addition, Alawite protests have spread along the Syrian coast, particularly in Homs and the Hama countryside. This mobilisation reflects the deep division that continues to mark Syria’s political landscape.
As the transition process continues, critical questions remain unanswered. The Islamist insurgents, while carrying a fundamentalist ideology, have promised to create a pluralistic system, but their real intentions and their capacity to share power remain unclear. Consolidating a new government and establishing lasting political stability remain major challenges in the current Syrian context.
Ultimately, the recent clashes in Damascus underscore the complexity of political dynamics in Syria and the need for an inclusive and peaceful solution to overcome internal divisions. As the country seeks to rebuild after years of conflict, the future remains uncertain, marked by the shadow of power struggles and political rivalries that continue to weigh on its destiny.