Stoking Syria’s sectarian divide

As the violence continues to escalate in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad is sending a clear message that he has no intention of giving up power.

While international mediation efforts have failed, Assad’s government has tried to exploit deep sectarian divisions in the country to their advantage by pitting minorities such as Christians and Alawites against Sunnis.

In order to have tight control of the regime, close family members have been placed in positions of power and officials and commanders belong to the Alawite sect.

Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reports.