The Alawite community, an offshoot of Shia Islam and historically aligned with the Assad regime, faces increased violence following the regime’s fall in December 2024. Revenge killings have escalated amidst a civil war, with Sunni extremist groups targeting Alawites, who comprise 10-15% of Syria’s population, and live primarily in Latakia and Tartus. Their survival now hinges on overcoming sectarian divisions in the country.
For over five decades, the Alawite community, which is an offshoot of Shia Islam, has governed Syria, a nation mostly composed of Sunni Muslims. This rule began when Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite, seized power in 1970. However, the Assad dynasty ended in December 2024 amid a rebel coalition advancing toward Damascus, leading to President Bashar al-Assad’s flight.
Since Assad’s departure, the fate of the Alawites remains in jeopardy as the interim Sunni Islamist government takes shape, exacerbating the civil war. Reports indicate that revenge killings have resulted in over 1,000 deaths, predominantly among Alawites and individuals associated with the former regime, marking this violence as some of the most severe in the ongoing Syrian conflict.
Alawites are a minority group within Shia Islam, making up about 10-15% of Syria’s population, primarily residing in the Latakia and Tartus coastal areas. Their religious practices combine Islamic elements with Gnostic and mystical influences, setting them apart from both Sunni and traditional Shia beliefs. Political prominence for the Alawites increased significantly following Hafez al-Assad’s rise to power in 1970, with his dynasty ruling until December 2024.
The Alawite community, once in power, now faces dire consequences in the civil war, becoming targets as various opposition groups label them as regime loyalists. Sunni extremist organizations like ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) openly declare Alawites as heretics, rationalizing their violent acts against this group.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), recent clashes have resulted in over 500 Alawite deaths, following renewed fighting between forces loyal to the interim regime and supporters of the ousted president. Drones and artillery attacks have created a state of fear among civilians in the Tartus and Latakia areas.
A 35-year-old Alawite recounts fleeing from her neighborhood of Al-Qusour, finding roads filled with corpses. A local Christian family provided shelter until she could escape to Lebanon. Another Alawite, aged 67, reported that armed groups entered homes, killing his brothers and nephew, illustrating the systematic violence targeting this community across coastal Syria.
As the war continues, the future of the Alawites appears precarious, hinging on Syria’s ability to overcome sectarian divisions and pursue stability as a unified nation.
The Alawite community in Syria faces significant challenges as the civil war intensifies. With the ousting of the Assad regime and the rise of interim Sunni governance, Alawites are targeted amid revenge killings and sectarian violence. As this minority group grapples with existential threats, their future depends on Syria’s potential towards social cohesion and stability.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
