Syria Faces Sectarian Violence and Steps Toward Unity Under New Leadership

Deadly clashes highlight deep divisions, but a key agreement with Kurdish forces signals potential progress for the war-torn nation.

Over the weekend, sectarian violence erupted in Syria, with over 1,000 deaths reported, including hundreds of Alawite civilians, raising concerns about the country's fragile stability.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel leader, pledged to protect minority rights but faces criticism after security forces were implicated in civilian deaths.
A landmark agreement was reached this week to integrate Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the national army, a significant step toward unifying factions from the civil war.
The deal, supported by the U.S. and Turkey, includes central government control over border crossings, airports, and oil fields in the northeast by year-end, though key details remain unresolved.
Analysts warn of ongoing risks, including sectarian tensions, economic challenges, and the potential for destabilization by former Assad-era soldiers and Iran-linked groups.