Syria’s minorities search security as nation charts new future

Arriving in Mezzeh 86, a working-class neighborhood in western Damascus, we’re invited to move by means of a checkpoint manned by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters.

The buildings are dilapidated and in want of restore.

This space is dominated by members of Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect, a department of Shiite Islam whose members represent considered one of Syria’s largest spiritual minorities.

Alawites managed energy within the Sunni-majority nation through the Assad household’s 50-year rule, holding necessary positions within the authorities, military and intelligence companies.

At present, many in the neighborhood worry reprisals following the overthrow of the Assad regime by rebels led by HTS, a Sunni Islamist group previously affiliated with al-Qaeda in Syria.

Dozens of Alawites we contacted by telephone refused to talk to us, many saying they had been afraid.

In Mezzeh 86, the presence of HTS fighters at a checkpoint doesn’t seem like a supply of concern.

Many Alawites got here to talk to us, wanting to distance themselves from the Assad regime.

“Beneath the Assad regime, the stereotype about Alawites was that they’d all of the job alternatives and had been wealthy. However in actuality, most Alawites are poor and just one in a thousand is wealthy,” mentioned Mohammad Shaheen, a 26-year-old pharmacy pupil.

“Even when HTS visited the Alawite villages close to the coast, they discovered that every one the villages had been poor. Solely the Assad household has amassed wealth,” he added, referring to the Alawite heartland within the west of the nation.

Hasan Dawood, a dealer, added: “We had been slaves to him – drivers, cooks and cleaners.”

There’s additionally a sense of betrayal.

“Bashar was a traitor. And the way in which he escaped was cowardly. He ought to have at the least spoken to the folks and advised us what was taking place. He left and not using a phrase, which made the state of affairs chaotic,” Mohammad mentioned.

However members of the Alawite group, and even from this neighborhood, served in Assad’s brutal safety forces. Do they worry reprisals in opposition to them, we requested.

“Those that had been within the navy and did unhealthy issues have fled. Nobody is aware of the place they’re. They’re afraid of revenge,” mentioned Thaier Shaheen, a development employee.

“However individuals who don’t have blood on their palms aren’t afraid and stayed again.”

Retaliatory killings have been reported in some components of the nation, however to this point there is no such thing as a proof to recommend they had been carried out by HTS.

“Thus far, so good. We’re speaking with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and they’re respectful. However there are people who find themselves not from HTS however fake to be them and make threats. They need our society is failing and they’re those we’re afraid of,” Mohammad mentioned.

After taking management of Damascus, HTS and its allies declared that these from the deposed regime who had been concerned in torture and killings can be held accountable, though it’s not but clear what kind this can take. justice.

HTS additionally mentioned the rights and freedoms of spiritual and ethnic minorities can be protected.

The group has a jihadist previous from which it has distanced itself. However there may be an Islamist current, and plenty of marvel what this can imply for Syria’s plural society.

“I’m so joyful as a result of the Assad regime has fallen. It is like a dream come true. No one needs to dwell below a dictatorship. However there may be fear. I’ve to be lifelike,” Youssef mentioned Sabbagh, a Christian lawyer.

“The HTS are right here now, and they’re an Islamic militia. That is what they’re. I want, I pray, that they’re a contemporary Islamic militia.”

“I converse not solely as a Christian, but additionally as a Syrian, a Muslim and everybody. We don’t want Syria to develop into one other Afghanistan, we don’t wish to develop into a brand new Libya. Now we have already suffered so much .”

The Syrian Christian group is likely one of the oldest on the earth and the nation is residence to famend holy websites.

When the rebellion in opposition to Assad started in 2011, Christians had been initially hesitant to take sides, however ultimately members of the group fought for each side of the battle.

Final week, Homs Archbishop Jacques Murad advised the BBC that three conferences had already taken place with HTS they usually had been capable of truthfully categorical their views and considerations.

For now, the indicators are reassuring for a lot of Christians.

Bars and eating places serving alcohol are open within the Christian quarter of Outdated Damascus and different areas of the town. Christmas decorations are additionally put up in lots of locations.

In a restaurant within the previous metropolis, we met lawyer Ouday al-Khayat, a Shiite Muslim.

“There isn’t a doubt that there’s anticipation and anxiousness. The indicators emanating from HTS are good, however now we have to attend and watch,” he mentioned.

“It’s not potential to know the opinions of all Shiites, however we’re anxious a few state of affairs just like that of Libya or Iraq. I consider, nonetheless, that Syria is completely different. Syrian society is diversified for a really very long time.”

We drove about 70 miles southeast of Damascus, by means of black volcanic hills, to the city of Suweida, residence to most of Syria’s Druze inhabitants.

The Druze religion is one other offshoot of Shiite Islam, nevertheless it has its personal id and beliefs.

Many Druze had been loyal to the Assad regime, which they believed would shield minorities.

However opposition grew steadily through the warfare, and protests have been frequent lately.

The newest one started within the central sq. of Suweida in August 2023 and continued till the day the regime fell.

Activist Wajiha al-Hajjar believes the protests weren’t brutally suppressed like others in Syria, as a result of Assad wished to indicate the world and his international allies that he was defending minorities.

“They tried to suppress our protest, however another way – not by weapons or bombings, however by depriving us of passports and civil rights, in addition to entry to official paperwork. It grew to become tough to go away Suweida and a kind of siege was imposed,” she mentioned.

A whole lot of individuals nonetheless collect within the sq. each day. Once we visited, there was an air of celebration. Songs blared over a loudspeaker and younger women and boys carried out gymnastics, their households clapping and cheering.

“We have fun the autumn of the regime, however this rally can also be a present of drive. Within the occasion that there’s an excessive regime with excessive legal guidelines, we’re prepared to remain on this sq. and demand our rights and demand peace. ‘equality.” » mentioned Wajiha.

Beneath Assad, Suweida loved a quasi-autonomous standing, and the Druze need this to proceed.

This is only one instance of the range and complexity of Syrian society, in addition to the challenges dealing with the nation’s new authorities.

Extra reporting by Aamir Peerzada, Leen Al-Saadi and Sanjay Ganguly