As the violence continues to escalate in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad is sending a clear message that he has no intention of giving up power.<br /><br />So far, international mediation efforts have failed. <br /><br />But it seems Assad's government has tried to exploit the deep sectarian divisions in the country to their advantage by pitting minorities such as Christians and Alawites against the Sunnis.<br /><br />In order to have tight control of the regime, close family members have been placed to positions of power and officials and commanders belong to the Alawite sect.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports.
