The Alawite community in Syria, comprising 10-15% of the population, is engulfed in violence following President Bashar al-Assad’s fall. Traditionally linked to the Assad regime, Alawites are now deemed loyalists, facing attacks from opposition groups. As the civil war escalates, with over 1,000 lives lost, the future of the Alawite sect remains uncertain amidst increasing sectarian tensions.
The Alawite community, a minority sect within Shia Islam, has faced heightened violence following the recent downfall of President Bashar al-Assad. For over five decades, the Assad family, originating from this sect, held power in a predominantly Sunni Syria. The regime’s retreat in December 2024 has culminated in increased hostilities and revenge killings, claiming more than 1,000 lives, inclusive of Alawite individuals and affiliates of the prior regime, according to various reports.
Alawites make up roughly 10-15% of Syria’s population, predominantly located in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus. Their belief system merges Islamic precepts with elements of Gnosticism and mysticism, setting them apart from both Sunni and mainstream Shia traditions. The sect gained political relevance with the rise of Hafez al-Assad in 1970, ruling until the recent civil war.
In recent times, Alawites have become scapegoats amid the ongoing civil war. Many opposition factions brand them as loyalists to the ousted regime, resulting in targeted attacks on Alawite neighborhoods. Groups such as ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is governed by Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have declared Alawites heretics, further provoking violence against them. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate that violence has claimed over 500 Alawite lives amid the resurgence of conflict.
Civilian distress calls reveal alarming situations in the Alawite regions, with airstrikes and artillery bombardments threatening local populations. One Alawite woman recounted her harrowing escape from Al-Qusour, stating, “We turned off the lights and hid. When we were able to flee our neighborhood, we found the roads full of corpses.” Another resident reported that armed groups systematically invaded homes, resulting in the deaths of family members.
The future for the Alawite sect remains precarious in the face of ongoing violence and sectarian divisions. Their survival hinges on Syria’s capacity to reconcile its societal rifts and rebuild a nation characterized by stability and coexistence.
In summary, the Alawite community faces grave existential challenges following the fall of the Assad regime. Having been historically associated with a regime that once offered them protection, they now find themselves vulnerable to sectarian violence and targeted attacks. The road to a peaceful resolution in Syria is essential for the Alawites’ future, necessitating a broader reform aimed at fostering unity and stability within the nation.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
