The ongoing massacres targeting Syria’s Alawite community represent the latest stage of sectarian and political violence in the Syrian conflict. The Alawites, a sect of Shia Islam, were historically marginalized and then politically instrumentalized. Now, after the recent regime change in Syria, they face intensified threats.
Historical Background
Historically, Alawites experienced severe oppression and discrimination, particularly under Ottoman rule, resulting in their socioeconomic marginalization. The French colonial administration (1920–1946) systematically exacerbated sectarian divisions, using the Alawite community politically to solidify its governance. Under the Ba’ath regime, especially during Hafez al-Assad’s leadership, the state significantly relied on the Alawite minority, placing them in influential positions within the military, intelligence, and political structures. This reliance contributed to increased political tensions and resentment among other segments of Syrian society, particularly the Sunni majority. Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious makeup—including Sunnis, Alawites, Druze, Christians, Kurds, and other minority groups—has long been a complex mosaic prone to tensions, often exploited politically by various ruling powers.
Current Situation and HTS Governance
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, was a “miniature world war”, as most imperialist powers took part in one way or another. While initially being a protest movement against the authoritarian rule of Assad, it later degenerated into a conflict reflecting different imperialist powers’ regional interests. Along with the devastation and the humanitarian catastrophe, it also fuelled deepening sectarian tensions, particularly affecting minorities.
The massacres of March 2025 in regions densely populated by Alawites, such as Latakia, Tartus, and Hama, illustrate the devastating consequences of these sectarian tensions. Sunni Islamist extremist groups have exploited underlying class contradictions to incite sectarian hatred, leading to violence which has a potential to ignite more massacres.
Hundreds of civilians were indiscriminately murdered through armed attacks and arson – clearly violating international humanitarian law. These atrocities highlight the true character of governance by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Golani condemned the massacres, it is clear that forces linked to HTS took part in them. That means that he either cannot control the new dominant military forces, or he is trying to deceive his new Western allies. Given its ideological foundations, having roots in ISIS and Al-Qaeda, HTS leadership will inevitably fail to control radical elements targeting Alawites due to their historically secular identity.
It is important to also highlight the hypocrisy of Western imperialist leaders, who appear adamant against massacres committed by forces which are opposed to their interests, but when they are committed by “allies”, they just “condemn” them and move on.
It is clear that a government led by HTS cannot achieve genuine peace or stability in Syria.
Conclusion
The massacres against the Alawite community must immediately stop. Neither governments led by Islamic fundamentalist radical groups nor agreements brokered through international negotiations between imperialists can ensure lasting peace. The genuine resolution involves ending imperialist interventions and fostering a unified working-class struggle grounded in class solidarity. Difficult as it may seem at the moment, but the only solution to the problems of the people of Syria is the struggle for an egalitarian socialist society, in which ethnic and religious differences will not be exploited in order to impose capitalist domination.
References:
- Batatu, H. (1999). Syria’s Peasantry, the Descendants of Its Lesser Rural Notables, and Their Politics. Princeton University Press.
- Van Dam, N. (2011). The Struggle for Power in Syria: Politics and Society Under Asad and the Ba’th Party. I.B. Tauris.
- Amnesty International. (2025). “Syria: Horrific Killings of Civilians on Northwest Coast Must Be Investigated.” https://www.amnesty.org
- International Crisis Group. (2025). “Finding a Path Through a Perilous Moment in Syria.” https://www.crisisgroup.org
