Syria is another Sunni and Shia battle

John Bruton (Irish Examiner, Dec. 2) claims that Syrian history is key to the current conflict, yet fails to explain the connection.

While the conflict is sectarian, this is primarily about power. The two core actors are Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (Shia).

The wildcard in the region are the Kurds.

Iran seeks dominance of the Middle East by sponsoring terror in the form of Hezbollah (Lebanon); Houthi rebels (Northern Yemen), among others.

Iran also backs the Syrian and Iraqi governments.

Saudi Arabia, suspicious of Iran, seeks to maintain the status quo by supporting various Syrian rebel groups.

Regional allies include Egypt and various Gulf states.

The war is the result of division among sectarian and ethnic communities that have never been resolved.

David Newmark

Rheban Manor

Athy

Co. Kildare