With the departure of Bashar al-Assad, the fate of the Alvite community of Syria is uncertain. Once empowered by the regime, several additions now face rebuke from rebellious groups and displaced the Sunni population who suffered under Assad’s rule. The revenge attacks have already killed more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of bonfire, power dynamics in Syria have changed violently. Violence is the deadliest since the Syrian struggle began 14 years ago.
According to the British -based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (Sohr), 745 civilians were shot at the near border between the dead. Another 125 government security personnel and 148 militants associated with Assad-conferred armed groups were also killed. The fight has left a large part of Latakia without electricity and drinking water.
Sohr reported that the Syrian security forces executed at least 162 alawites in the “field execution” in Latakia province, a stronghold of Assad, which belongs to the sect. The Syrian Interior Ministry accepted the “personal violation” along the coast and vowed to take action.
Encouraged on Thursday, a major challenge is for the new Syrian rulers, who took power three months ago after removing Assad. The government claims that it was responding to the attacks of Assad’s army remains and demolished the murders as isolated incidents.
Who are Alawites?
Alvites are a religious minority in Syria, about 12 percent of the population. Shia, originating from Islam, they have different beliefs and rituals. Historically, alvites are concentrated in coastal regions of Syria, especially in Latakia and Tartus provinces.
The Assad family, who ruled Syria over five decades till December 2024, belongs to the Alvite sect. During his rule, apart from the covers holding important positions in military and government, which led to preference treatment perceptions.
Why are they being killed?
After Assad’s exit, the armed Sunni groups, allegedly loyal to the new government, began the killings of revenge against Alvites, leading to deepening the communal division of Syria. This growth threatens the right to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the Sunni faction played a central role in removing Assad from power.
For decades, Alvites formed the backbone of Asad’s support base. Now, they are facing fatal vengeance. Eyewitnesses described annoying scenes in Alvite villages, where gunmen killed citizens, most of them, either on the streets or on their door. The houses were looted and yearning, forcing thousands of people to flee the nearby mountains.
One of the worst cities, Balis has seen some of the most brutal attacks. The residents scattered the bodies on the streets and released on the roofs. In some cases, gunmen prevented local people from assembled for their neighbors for hours.
The 57 -year -old resident Ali Sheha, who had run away with his family, described a genocide in his neighborhood, where at least 20 alvites were killed. Some were killed in their shops, other people inside their homes.
“It was very bad. The bodies were on the streets,” Sheha heard through a phone from a nearby city. Sheha said that the gunmen were firing at random people, asking them for ID to investigate the sect of the people before killing them.
International reactions
France has expressed “deep concern” over the ongoing violence, strongly condemned atrocities on religious grounds. In a statement on Saturday, the French Foreign Ministry urged the Syrian interim government to ensure independent investigation into mass murders.
