The Alawite Community in Syria: Between Power and Peril After Assad’s Fall

This article examines the plight of Syria’s Alawite community following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad after decades of Alawite rule. With increased violence and targeted attacks from various factions, the future of this minority group remains unclear amid ongoing sectarian strife and conflict in the country.

For over five decades, the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam, has held power in Syria, primarily under the leadership of Hafez al-Assad since 1970. However, this governance faced a sudden end in December 2024 when a rebel coalition advanced towards Damascus, compelling President Bashar al-Assad to flee. The ongoing civil war, now intensifying under a Sunni Islamist interim government, raises concerns for the future of the Alawite community.

Amid escalating conflict, the Alawite population, which constitutes approximately 10 to 15 percent of Syria’s demographic, has experienced significant violence. Predominantly located in coastal regions like Latakia and Tartus, they have become targets amid revenge killings linked to the ousted regime, with media reporting over 1,000 deaths, including many Alawites. This violence represents one of the most severe periods in the 14-year conflict.

Historically, the Alawites had a strong political standing due to their ties with the Assad regime. However, they are now viewed with suspicion by opposition factions, leading to increasing aggression against them. Extremist Sunni groups such as ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have declared Alawites as heretics, inciting violence and targeting their communities.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 500 Alawites have been killed in recent clashes. The violence includes drone and artillery attacks on areas such as Tartus and the Latakia countryside, causing fear throughout Alawite neighborhoods. A 35-year-old woman recounted her experience of hiding during an attack and discovering a road littered with corpses when attempting to flee.

The Alawite community faces a precarious future, as sectarian tensions threaten their survival in the ongoing war. Their existence relies on Syria’s potential to transcend divisions and work towards rebuilding a stable nation, thus presenting a dire outlook for the Alawite populace amidst the turmoil.

The Alawites, once in a position of power under the Assad regime, currently confront a perilous reality as the Syrian civil war escalates. With targeted violence and sectarian strife on the rise, their future remains uncertain, hinging on Syria’s capacity to heal and unite after years of division and conflict. Their story sheds light on the broader implications of sectarian divides in contemporary Syria.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com