Part 2/7:
Syria is an intricate labyrinth of localized factions and territorial claims, a legacy of the Ottoman Empire's collapse. Historically, it has rarely functioned as a cohesive entity, and its current state can be described as "six Syrias" rather than one unified nation. The country is marked by diverse demographics and complex power struggles resulting from civil conflict.
In the far northwest, the coastal strip, notably home to the Alawite minority, struggles to reassert its influence after the civil war displaced many of its leaders. East of this region lies the conflict-ridden corridor of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs—the demographic and economic heart of Syria, heavily scarred by past violence and war crimes, making it a focal point for Russian military operations.