Why now? Over 1,000 people have died in Syria in just two days, following fighting between forces of the government and supporters of the old regime. The new government that came to power in December 2024, upending decades of dynastic rule, is reportedly targeting civilian members of the minority Alawite community because of its perceived loyalty to the previous regime. Deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is also an Alawite. Who are the Alawites? The sect has its roots in Shia Islam. The word Alawite means “follower of Ali,” the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad. It can be traced back to the 9th and 10th centuries, in the teachings of Mohammad ibn Nusayr in Iraq. There is a lack of written sources concerning the beliefs of this group. Alawites are believed to incorporate aspects of Christianity and ancient Iranian practices in their faith. For instance, they use wine in some of their rituals, believe in the concept of reincarnation, and Alawite women generally do not wear the headscarf. Historically, this multitude of beliefs and practices have led to the community facing persecution from a range of religious movements and groups, from the Christian Crusaders to the Ottomans from Turkey. What is the situation in Syria? Alawites make up about 12% of the Syrian population and primarily live in the coastal region. Their fortunes changed with the French colonial rule in Syria in the early 20th century. During this period, several local governments were set up – one for the Alawites, one for the Druze minority, and one for the Sunni majority. Their influence in national politics heightened around the 1960s and ’70s, when Alawite leader Hafez al-Assad came to power. However, critics of the government and communists – even those belonging to the sect – were punished and imprisoned under the one-man rule. Alawites remained dominant in Syria when his son, Bashar, took power after his father’s death in 2000. What has happened to the Alawites since December 2024? In the early 2010s, several dynastic and authoritarian governments in the Middle East and North Africa faced popular uprisings in what was dubbed the “Arab Spring”. Protests against the al-Assad regime in Syria, however, were soon put down by the authorities. Given Syria’s strategic location, Russia also lent it support and sent weaponry. Iran also backed the regime, even as pockets of resistance continued to survive and establish control in parts of the country. Cut to 2024 – when some of those militant anti-government groups began concerted attempts to regain control. What aided them this time was the fact that Iran and Russia were busy engaging in wars in Ukraine and Gaza, respectively. In less than two weeks, decades of one-family rule ended, and al-Assad fled the country. Despite the Sunni militant outfit Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leading the charge, it was assured that the new government would not be vengeful towards minorities. With the recent bout of violence, it remains to be seen whether that promise is upheld.
