Will Syria's Rebels Turn on Fellow Sunnis?

A significant element in this ongoing showdown has been growing concern regarding the increasing role of radical groups within the opposition movement, particularly Islamist extremists, foreign jihadists, Salafi fundamentalists, plus Al Qaeda fighters. An additional concern has focused on the potential dangers confronting Syria’s small Christian community, perceived by some opposition groups as guilty of collaborating with the Assad regime or at least tacitly distancing themselves from the uprising. While these factors are in themselves extremely worrisome for those fearful of what will follow the overthrow of Assad and, presumably, the entire Baathist regime, there is another danger that should cause considerable concern for both the Syrian people and their regional neighbours. That concern is the very real possibility that, after the regime falls, elements in the opposition movement won’t limit themselves to seeking revenge on the Alawite community for the estimated 20,000 Syrians killed since the uprising began, but will turn on fellow Sunnis as well.