We all know that the Syrian Civil War started 16 months ago after a peaceful revolution ended up in bloodshed as the Assad Regime opened fire with live ammunition on protesters. Soon, the conflict escalated to violent attacks on civilian homes rumored to support the opposition. The conflict now escalated to armed attacks and skirmishes between Syrian rebel and regime fighters. Bombers, tanks and other heavy weapons are also included in the attacks.
The question is, can the conflict become sectarian? Iraq, after eliminating a Sunni-led monarchy that had lasted for years, had sectarian conflicts all over. The U.S. is powerless to act in the situation given that other countries, namely China and Russia, do not agree with western involvement with regimes that they do not desire. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is part of the Alawite minority. Many sects fear his rule, yet alawites are given preferable treatment and Christians find themselves more at ease with having a small Islamic sect ruling the land. The kurds remain neutral regarding the situation as well.
However, Sunnis make most of the opposition and rebels. If the war escalates to a level of sectarianism, there may be more blood. Recent news state that U.N. Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan has resigned from his position over the failure of his six-point peace plan. Without Kofi Annan, we might see a bloodier Syria ending in conflict, deaths and repeating the cycle.
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