Throughout five years of Syrian Civil War, the nation’s Alawite minority, which President Bashar al-Assad is a member of, has been firmly in the pro-government camp, with repeated attacks against Alawite civilians by rebels, particularly Islamists, convincing many that Assad’s loss would be calamitous.
As the peace process gets going, however, the Alawite religious leaders are trying to distance themselves from the Assad government’s policies, insisting they support a peace deal and don’t represent the “ruling political power.”
Alawites, a Shi’ite community, are about 12 percent of Syria’s population. They live in the far northwest, in Latakia, and also have a large population in and around Damascus, which has increased as the war has driven many from their homes in rebel territory.
The statement was reprinted in several overseas newspapers, and seems to be targeting the international community, and probably won’t change many opinions domestically, as they and most religious minorities will still be perceived as “pro-government” in the face of the Sunni-dominated rebellion.
Alawites against the Syrian regime IV
Wait. So what is new about the so-called Alawites who are opposed to the regime and opposed to Shi`ite Islam? Ash-Share Al-Awsat (the mouthpiece of King Salman and his sons which is treated as “a secular” voice by Liz Sly and other cheerleaders of the Syrian “revolution”) had published back in 2012 a story that AN UNNAMED Alawite cleric expressed opposition to the regime.
More smoke signals. That is like idiotic lying how Syria lost Palmyra withouth fighting . Now just like then –here comes Al-Nusra to distract Army from advancing on ISIS. Are we in great company sitkh allies such as Al-Nusra. UUS news stopped calling it terrorist group. No wonder as Gen Petreaus advocated gor arming it . Now as we know –sll he was doing is letting public know in a roundabout way know tha this is shere hslf a billion went.