Sect factor in changes of the Sykes Picot Agreement's artificial borders: The case of Syria

Middle East in addition to its geopolitical position and its wealth, because the emergence of three heavenly religions in this region, it has always had an important place in world politics from past to present. For this reason, in the region where there has always been a struggle for domination, various civilizations and empires have had a say. With the Ottomans becoming the dominant power in the region in the 16th century, a period of four centuries in which various ethnic-religious and sectarian segments lived in peace began. This process ended with the First World War which was a turning point for the Middle East. The imperialist states signed various secret aggrements while the war was going on in order not to fall into disaggrement about the partion of the Ottoman lands after the war. Sykes Picot Aggrement which was signed by England and France in 1916 has the most important place among the aforementioned secret aggrements, because it started a new era in the region with forming the outline of the present Middle East borders. Unlike the natural borders that are determined by taking into account the ethnic, religious and cultural elements of the region, as well as geographical forms such as rivers or mountain ranges; artificial borders which are created by taking into account the parallel and meridians in line with the interests, is a phenomenon used by the imperial states. Borders that drawn with this method at the desk for the Middle East which was reconstructed by England and France, has brought many problems along and changed many times. As a result of the cover to prepare the new states to be created after the war in the region for independence, the mandate regime had officially started and France has captured the administration in Syria. During this period in order to keep the Sunni majority who carried out Arab nationalism and independence movements under control; Nusayris (Arab Alawis), Druzes and Ismailis from the minorty groups were supported by France. In this study, the role of sectarian differences which fueled within the framework of the classical divide and rule policy carried out in the Middle East in border changes is examined through the case of Syria.