Syria’s minorities seek security as country charts new future

Driving into Mezzeh 86, a working-class neighbourhood within the west of Damascus, we’re waved via a checkpoint manned by fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Buildings are rundown and in want of repairs.

This space is dominated by folks from Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam whose members make up certainly one of Syria’s largest spiritual minorities.

Alawites managed energy within the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation for the 50 years of the Assad household’s rule, holding high positions within the authorities, navy and intelligence companies.

Now, many from the group worry reprisals following the overthrow of the Assad regime by rebels led by HTS, a Sunni Islamist group that was as soon as al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

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

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

Many Alawites did come up and communicate with us – eager to distance themselves from Assad’s regime.

“In the course of the Assad regime, the stereotype in regards to the Alawites is that they bought all of the work alternatives and that they’re rich. However, in actual fact, most Alawites are poor and you may solely discover one amongst a thousand who’s wealthy,” stated Mohammad Shaheen, a 26-year-old pharmacy pupil.

“Even when HTS went to Alawite villages close to the coast, they discovered all villages had been poor. Solely the Assad household amassed wealth,” he added, referring to the Alawite heartland within the nation’s west.

Hasan Dawood, a shopkeeper, chimed in: “We had been slaves for him – drivers, cooks and cleaners.”

There’s additionally a way of betrayal.

“Bashar was a traitor. And the way in which he fled was cowardly. He ought to have a minimum of addressed folks and instructed us what was taking place. He left with no phrase, which made the scenario chaotic,” stated Mohammad.

However folks from the Alawite group, and certainly from this neighbourhood, did serve in Assad’s brutal safety forces. Do they worry reprisals towards them, we requested.

“Those that had been within the navy and did dangerous issues have fled. No-one is aware of the place they’re. They’re afraid of revenge,” stated Thaier Shaheen, a building employee.

“However individuals who do not have blood on their arms, they aren’t scared, and have stayed again.”

There have been studies of some reprisal killings in elements of the nation, however to date there isn’t a proof to counsel they had been carried out by HTS.

“Till now, we’re OK. We’re speaking to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and they’re respectful. However there are individuals who aren’t from HTS however fake to be them who’re making threats. They need our society to fail and they’re those we’re afraid of,” stated Mohammad.

After taking management of Damascus, HTS and its allies stated these from the deposed regime who had been concerned in torture and killings could be held to account, though it’s unclear to date what kind that justice will take.

HTS additionally stated that the rights and freedoms of spiritual and ethnic minorities could be protected.

The group has a jihadist previous which it has distanced itself from. Nevertheless it has an Islamist current, and lots of are asking what that can imply for Syria’s plural society.

“I am so completely happy as a result of the Assad regime fell. This is sort of a dream come true. No-one needs to dwell underneath dictatorship. However there may be concern. I’ve to be practical,” stated Youssef Sabbagh, a Christian lawyer.

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

“I communicate not simply as a Christian, a whole lot of Syrians, Muslims and everybody, we do not need Syria to grow to be one other Afghanistan, we do not wish to grow to be a brand new Libya. Now we have already suffered so much.”

Syria’s Christian group is likely one of the oldest on the earth, with the nation residence to some famend holy websites.

When the rebellion towards Assad started in 2011, Christians had been initially cautious about taking sides, however ultimately members from the group fought on either side of the battle.

Previously week, the Archbishop of Homs, Jacques Murad, instructed the BBC there had already been three conferences with HTS, they usually had been capable of specific their views and considerations actually.

To this point, the indicators are re-assuring for a lot of Christians.

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

At a restaurant within the Outdated Metropolis, we met lawyer Ouday al-Khayat, who’s a Shia Muslim.

“There is not any doubt that there is anticipation and nervousness. The indicators that come from HTS are good, however we should wait and watch,” he stated.

“It is not potential to know the opinions of all Shia however there’s a concern a couple of situation just like Libya or Iraq. I consider, although, that Syria is completely different. Syrian society has been various for a really very long time.”

We drove round 110km (70 miles) south-east of Damascus, via black volcanic hills, to the town of Suweida, which is residence to most of Syria’s Druze inhabitants.

The Druze religion is one other offshoot of Shia Islam, however has its personal distinctive id and beliefs.

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

However opposition grew steadily throughout the conflict, and there have been frequent protests in recent times.

The newest began in Suweida’s central sq. in August 2023 and continued till the day the regime fell.

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

“They did attempt to suppress our protest however otherwise – not via weapons or shelling, however by depriving us of passports and civil rights, and entry to official paperwork. It turned tough to depart Suweida and a form of siege was imposed,” she stated.

Lots of nonetheless collect on the sq. day by day. After we visited, there was an air of celebration. Songs had been blaring on a loudspeaker, and younger women and boys had been doing a gymnastics efficiency, their households clapping and cheering for them.

“We’re celebrating the autumn of the regime, however this gathering can also be a present of energy. Within the occasion that there’s an excessive regime with excessive legal guidelines, we’re ready to remain on this sq. and demand our rights and demand equality,” Wajiha stated.

Suweida had a quasi-autonomous standing underneath Assad, and the Druze need that to proceed.

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

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