Sectarian tensions in Syria flare up once again

The flag of the Druze.

The new Syrian government's problems are far from over.

Earlier this year, the Alawites, a Syrian minority group, were brutally attacked by forces associated with the government. While the government did not directly control them, Syria tasked them to keep the peace in regions that it could not control directly. Due to this, other minority groups feared similar attacks on their own. Syria has a multitude of ethnic groups, such as Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and Turks.

While the new Syrian government has distanced itself from the attacks, these minority groups, especially the Druze, are hesitant. Druze militias have flared up and have been a thorn in the national government's side. These militias have had support from the country of Israel, damaging the chance of a normalization of relations between the two. The clashes that have resulted from Syria and the Druze militias have caused the displacement of thousands of civilians. Syria still has a long way to go on the road to recovery.