Protests Erupt Among Alawites in Syria Following Shrine Attack
On December 25, 2024, thousands of Syrians from the Alawite minority took to the streets in multiple cities across Syria, protesting after a video surfaced showing an attack on one of their religious shrines. This marked the first significant demonstrations by the Alawite community since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad by a coalition of rebels, including the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which captured Damascus on December 8.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), protests occurred in coastal cities such as Tartous, Jableh, and Latakia, where the Alawite community is predominantly located. Additional gatherings were reported in Banias and Homs, prompting local authorities to impose night-time curfews in these areas. Tragically, during the protests, one demonstrator was killed, and several others were injured when security forces opened fire to disperse the crowds in Homs.
Background of the Protests and Government Response
The unrest among the Alawites was ignited by the circulation of a video depicting an attack on an Alawite shrine in Aleppo, which resulted in the deaths of five shrine employees. The Interior Ministry in Damascus dismissed the video as outdated, claiming it was from the time of the rebel takeover of Aleppo on December 1, and accused unknown groups of attempting to incite discord among the Syrian populace.
Protesters in Jableh were vocal in their demands for peace, chanting slogans that emphasized unity among Alawites and Sunnis. Demonstrators carried placards denouncing the burning of holy sites and religious discrimination, calling for a free Syria. Ghidak Mayya, a protester from Latakia, expressed concerns that while calls for calm were being heeded, the situation remained volatile and could escalate further.
The Alawite Community's Position Post-Assad
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, many Alawites initially welcomed the change but now fear marginalization and potential reprisals due to their close ties to the former regime. Political analyst Fabrice Balanche noted that the Alawites constituted a significant support base for Assad, often referred to as his 'praetorian guard.' Current estimates suggest that the Alawite population stands at approximately 1.7 million, representing about 9% of Syria's total population. As the country continues to navigate the aftermath of a devastating civil war, the Alawite community's future remains uncertain amidst ongoing tensions and violence.
