Who are Syria's Alawites and why are they being targeted
What's the story
Syria's interim leader called for peace as violence and revenge killings continue in areas loyal to ousted former President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. Most violence has taken place in Assad's coastal stronghold; over 1,000 have been killed since Thursday. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, among the dead were 745 civilians, 125 members of the Syrian security forces, and 148 fighters loyal to Assad.
Community profile
Alawites: A religious minority under threat
The Alawite sect, a branch of Shia Islam, was one of Assad's government's key supporters. It accounts for around 10% of Syria's population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim. Assad belonged to the sect. However, since the civil war intensified, different militant groups have been targeting Alawites for their ties with Assad and his military allies. The relentless violence has especially impacted the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous, where most victims belong to the Alawite community.
Leadership response
Ahmad Al-Sharaa's call for accountability amid violence
Interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, now heading Syria under Sunni Islamist rule, has demanded accountability from all Syrians and the international community. He urged action against those who harm civilians or mistreat prisoners. Rights groups have also reported numerous revenge killings by Sunni militants targeting Alawite sect members indiscriminately. Under the Assad regime, the Sunnis faced atrocities over the past 13 years. This fueled sectarian animosity, primarily directed at the Alawite minority, whose members are implicated in war crimes.
Investigation launched
Al-Sharaa's administration investigates violence as death toll rises
The bloodshed began on Thursday, when Assad loyalists who refused to give up their weapons ambushed security personnel near the coastal cities of Latakia and Jableh, killing dozens. Ghiath Dallah, a former brigadier general in Assad's army, declared a fresh uprising against the current administration, stating that the "Military Council for the Liberation of Syria" will be formed. However, a "relative return to calm" was seen in the coastal region by Saturday.
Tactical shift
Pro-Assad Alawite gunmen overpower government security forces
Al-Sharaa's office has announced the formation of an independent committee to investigate the violence carried out by both sides. Sharaa, whose Islamist fighters deposed Assad three months ago, must now strike a balance between ensuring everyone's safety and pursuing justice for the crimes committed by the Assad administration and its supporters. While he has command over some of the troops that helped him gain power, some factions are clearly beyond his control, BBC reported.