Qamishli, in northeastern Syria, is a world of its own in this uprising. Inhabited by a mix of Kurds, Arabs, and Christian Syriacs [Assyrians], the city has the potential for severe ethnic and religious strife. There is certainly a history of ethnic conflict in Qamishli, where the 2004 Kurdish-Arab riots are still a fresh memory. Yet, after two and a half years of conflict in Syria, Qamishli’s inhabitants remain untouched by major fighting.
Even so, the situation is very tense. Different areas of Qamishli are controlled by either regular regime forces or a collection of rival militias: the National Defense Forces, which are staffed by pro-regime Arabs; the Kurdish Asayish Security Forces, which are related to the People’s Protection Units, a Kurdish militia; and the Syriacs’ own militia force, the Sutoro. Ambiguity for Safety
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