Revenge attacks have already killed over 1,000 people, including hundreds of Alawites
3 MIN READ
Members of security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government pose together with their firearms as they stand along a rocky beach by the Mediterranean sea coast in Syria on March 9, 2025.
Members of security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government pose together with their firearms as they stand along a rocky beach by the Mediterranean sea coast in Syria on March 9, 2025.
AFP
Dubai: With Bashar Al Assad’s ouster in November last year, the fate of Syria’s Alawite community remains precarious.
Once empowered by the regime, many Alawites now face reprisals from rebel factions and displaced Sunni populations who suffered under Assad’s rule.
Revenge attacks have already killed over 1,000 people, including hundreds of Alawites. The violence is among the deadliest since Syria’s conflict began 14 years ago.
According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), 745 civilians-mostly shot at close range-were among the dead.
Another 125 government security personnel and 148 militants linked to Assad-affiliated armed groups were also killed. The fighting has left large parts of Latakia without electricity and drinking water.
The community, which was at the centre of power for over five decades under the Assad regime, has become a target after Bashar Al Assad’s ousting.
As power shifts violently, armed factions are seeking revenge for years of oppression under Assad’s rule.
Who are Alawites?
The Alawites trace their origins to the 9th-century teachings of Mohammad Bin Nusayr. They have historically faced persecution under various rulers, including the Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans.
For centuries, they remained a marginalised sect in northwest Syria.
Where are they?
The Alawites are a religious minority in Syria, constituting about 12 per cent of the population. An offshoot of Shiite sect, the Alawites have distinct beliefs and rituals.
Historically, the Alawites have been concentrated in Syria’s coastal regions, especially in Latakia and Tartus provinces.
The community also extends north into Turkey, where some Arabic-speaking Alawites live.
How did the Alawites rise to power?
Their fortunes changed in 1970 when Hafez Al Assad, an Alawite, seized power. Under his rule, and later his son Bashar’s, Alawites secured key positions in the military and government. Despite being a minority community, their influence was significant, which fuelled resentment among the Sunni majority.
How severe is the violence?
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least 745 civilians, mostly Alawites, have been killed in just a few days. In addition, 125 government security personnel and 148 Assad-linked militants have also lost their lives. Entire Alawite neighborhoods, especially in Latakia, have been destroyed, leaving thousands displaced.
What are some of the brutal tactics being used against Alawites?
Eyewitnesses report gunmen rounding up men in villages, executing them in the streets or at their doorsteps. Homes are looted and torched, forcing families to flee into the mountains. In Baniyas, bodies were abandoned on rooftops for hours as militants blocked access to the dead.
How has the Syrian government responded?
The Syrian Interior Ministry has acknowledged “individual violations” along the coast but downplayed the killings, calling them isolated incidents. Meanwhile, SOHR reports that at least 162 Alawites have been executed in what it describes as “field executions” in Latakia province alone.
What does the future hold for Syria’s Alawite community?
With Assad gone, the Alawites are politically vulnerable in a country still divided by sectarian violence. The new government, dominated by hardline factions, has shown little interest in protecting them from revenge attacks. Thousands have fled, fearing further persecution, while others hope for reconciliation.
Is peace possible for the Alawites?
For now, peace remains distant. The streets of Latakia and Baniyas are haunted by violence, and the Alawites — once shielded by power —a re now marked as the hunted in Syria’s ongoing turmoil.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Related Stories
[Sharaa calls for unity after reports of mass killings
4m read](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/syria-president-calls-for-unity-after-reports-of-mass-killings-2-1.500055949)[Assad loyalists kill 7 security men in Syria clashes
2m read](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/assad-loyalists-kill-seven-security-personnel-in-syria-clashes-1.500054232)