A new twist in Syria: a political opposition

The overthrow in December last year of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s dictator, brought a fleeting sense of unity to a country fractured by over a decade of war. Despite unease over his Islamist past, most Syrians rallied behind Ahmed al-Sharaa, their new leader. Over the summer, however, the mood has soured. A growing number of Syrians, especially from minority groups, are voicing frustration with his government. And the first shoots of an organised opposition are popping up.