** Syria: The fight for control and security in a divided nation **
The Syrian conflict, which lasted more than a decade, deeply reshaped the country’s political, social and military landscape. Today, while Syria is found in the hands of new authorities, a new dynamic of violence emerges, testifying to the persistent weaknesses of a state plagued by internal rivalries and disputed legitimities. The recent clashes in the province of Lattaquié illustrate the major challenges faced by local governments, but also the identity fractures which continue to mark this region.
### An inheritance of violence
The confrontation described in recent facts implies Syrian security forces in conflict with loyal armed men in Souheil al-Hassan, former commander of an elite unit in Bashar al-Assad. Although the new authorities distance themselves from Assad’s inheritance, it is obvious that the remains of his reign continue to influence the current dynamics. The controversial figure of Al-Hassan, nicknamed “the tiger”, demonstrates how military actors well anchored in the system can still weigh on the future of the country.
### Identity issues
The Province of Lattaquié, traditionally a fief of the Alaouite minority, is at the heart of the identity of the fallen regime. This ethnic and religious link exacerbates tensions and underlines the complexity of the current situation. The reactions of Alawite religious leaders calling for “peaceful demonstrations” not only report a protest strategy against the new authorities, but also a need to maintain cohesion within their community in the face of the threat of an escalation of violence.
From a sociological point of view, these events reveal the fragility of new regimes in the face of local interest groups. The mobilization of populations, despite the risks involved, underlines a deep desire to redefine norms and values in a context of unstable governance. When natives protect an accused of trafficking in arms, this reveals solidarity that transcends the law, thus illustrating the importance of a socio-cultural framework often underestimated in standard analyzes.
### A war of stories
The various institutions that report events, such as the Syrian Human Rights Observatory (OSDH) and the official Sana news agency, convey distinct stories, thus shaping the way the crisis is perceived inside and outside Syria. A narration gap is emerging: on the one hand, a denunciation of “isolated incidents” to minimize the scope of violence; On the other, a media coverage that highlights the abuses of the new security forces.
This “war of stories” generates a disinformation which complicates the establishment of the truth. The role of the media in a context of conflict therefore becomes crucial, because it is not only a question of accounting for events, but also in which these stories shape adhesion to a certain vision of the Syrian political world. In addition to human losses, the battle engaged in the control of stories can potentially influence international support and the perception of allies, which may be more or less inclined to invest in Syria while dissident votes continue to raise their concerns.
### Intensification of tensions and the uncertain future
The security operations carried out by the authorities, which end up with a military climbing, inevitably lead to civil losses and exacerbate resentment among the local population. At this stage, an observation is essential: the restoration of security in Syria cannot be dissociated from an inclusive approach which seeks to engage the different communities in a dialogue.
The current situation raises the question of how new authorities can legitimately govern a nation without resting on brute force, a model that has failed in the past. Calls for peaceful manifestations by religious figures reflect a need for non -violent control over otherwise chaotic dynamics. The possibility of a new cycle of violence cannot be excluded if the demands of the populations are not recognized and taken into account.
### Conclusion
The evolution of the situation in Syria constitutes a complex labyrinth in which identities, stories and political aspirations intertwine. Recent clashes in Lattaquié are only a facet of the many challenges that the country faces. To move forward, a balance between security and respect for human rights seems crucial, as well as recognition of local dynamics that cannot be ignored. At the heart of these struggles is the quest for a renewed Syrian identity, capable of transcending fractures of the past to build a finally pacified future.