Alawites in Syria - 1

The Roots of the Alawites, Their History, and the Massacres Perpetrated Against Them

In the intertwined corners of history, and between the threads of faith and politics, the Alawite sect has emerged as one of the most mysterious and controversial religious groups in the Arab East. Its path has not merely been a ideological journey, but rather an ongoing struggle between marginalization and persecution, and between power and influence, oscillating between the roles of victim and ruler.

In this file, we will examine the Alawite faith, its spread, and the massacres perpetrated against them, leading up to the French Mandate and the beginning of their rise, and their growing role under al-Assad regime, father and son. Finally, we will address the fall of this regime and the sectarian cleansing crimes they were subjected to at the hands of the new rulers in Damascus.

The Origins of the Alawites: An Esoteric Doctrine and a Mysterious Identity

The roots of the Alawite sect date back to the ninth century CE, when it emerged amidst the political and religious upheavals that shook the Islamic world at the time. Its doctrine was formed from a blend of Twelver Shiism and Sufism, influenced by Gnostic philosophy, which emphasizes esoteric knowledge as a means of spiritual salvation.

The Alawites trace their faith to Muhammad ibn Nusayr, who claimed to be the gate to the Eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari. This led to their being called "Nusayris" before the name "Alawites" was adopted in the twentieth century in an attempt to bring them closer to mainstream Islam.

The Alawites rely on an esoteric interpretation of religious texts, differing from other Islamic sects in their interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah. They are based on the principle of spiritual reincarnation, which holds that souls travel through multiple lives until they reach divine light. This doctrinal peculiarity, in addition to their secret rituals, made them the subject of suspicion and doubt among the Muslim majority, and exposed them to repeated waves of persecution and marginalization.

Geographic Distribution

The Alawites are geographically distributed across several regions, constituting a fundamental part of the social fabric of Syria. They are also present in Turkey and Lebanon, with smaller numbers in Iraq and Palestine.

Syria is their main stronghold, constituting approximately 10-12% of the population. They are concentrated along the Syrian coast, particularly in Latakia, Tartus, and the Alawite Mountains, rugged areas where they have historically sought refuge from persecution. They also have large concentrations in central Syria, specifically in Homs and the Hama countryside, particularly in rural villages such as Masyaf and Salamiyah. A minority also exists in Damascus and Aleppo, where some have moved with the expansion of the modern Syrian state.

In Turkey, the number of Alawites is estimated to be in the millions, but most of them follow the "Bektashi" branch, which differs from the Syrian Alawites. They are concentrated in the Sanjak of Alexandretta (now Hatay), particularly in Antakya and Alexandretta and their countryside, in addition to being spread throughout eastern Anatolia, such as Tunceli, Sivas, and Malatya. In Lebanon, the Alawites constitute a small minority, concentrated in the north of the country, particularly in the Jabal Mohsen area of Tripoli, as well as in some villages in Wadi Khaled and Akkar.

In Iraq and Palestine, small numbers of Alawites exist, particularly among families who migrated throughout history. Although there are historical indications of their presence in Palestine, their numbers today are almost nonexistent.

Despite this spread, the Alawites, especially in Syria, have maintained their rural and mountainous geographic character. This has historically protected them from persecution, but it has also contributed to their social and political isolation for long periods.

Massacres and Marginalization Throughout History

For centuries, the Alawites have suffered discrimination and oppression, reaching its peak during the Ottoman era. This persecution was not simply religious or social discrimination; it was a systematic policy that continued for centuries, directly targeting their existence. In the eyes of the Ottomans, the Alawites were "heretics" and "apostates from Islam," making them vulnerable to murder, displacement, and economic and social discrimination.

The city of Aleppo, which had a prominent Alawite population, was one of the most significant arenas of harsh persecution against them, along with other areas in northern Syria.

Ottoman Massacres in Aleppo and Other Syrian Regions

For centuries, Alawites in the Middle East faced systematic persecution at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, which viewed them as heretics to the official Islam of the state. This persecution began with the Ottoman conquest of Syria in 1516 after the Battle of Marj Dabiq. Sultan Selim I issued religious edicts" Fatwa" declaring Alawites heretics, paving the way for widespread massacres targeting their existence.

In Aleppo and its countryside, Ottoman forces launched mass killings that led to the extermination of entire families, the destruction of villages, and the enslavement of women. They also looted their property and stripped them of their agricultural lands, exacerbating their poverty and isolation.

The Syrian coast was not immune to these practices. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the regions of Latakia, Tartus, and the Alawite Mountains witnessed repeated military campaigns, accompanied by the imposition of exorbitant taxes that burdened the population and forced them to sell their children as servants to survive. Alawite villages in the Latakia Mountains were also burned and destroyed, forcing many to flee to more isolated areas.

As the Ottoman Empire declined in the nineteenth century, repression continued, with religious fatwas issued by the Sultanate to justify the targeting of Alawites, particularly in Aleppo and Anatolia. These fatwas led to new waves of violence and the forced displacement of large numbers of Alawites from Aleppo, Idlib, and Maarat al-Numan, forcing many to seek refuge in the mountains or emigrate to Lebanon and Anatolia.

Although the Ottomans were the most brutal in targeting Alawites, the Mamluks preceded them with similar practices, imposing double taxes and carrying out killing campaigns against them, particularly in Aleppo and Tripoli, forcing them to flee to the mountainous regions and further isolating them.

These ongoing crimes shaped a collective mentality among Alawites based on fear of persecution and resorting to isolation. They relied on the mountains as safe havens, keeping their religious beliefs and rituals secret for fear of recurring massacres.

The French Mandate and the Turning Point

With the arrival of the French Mandate in Syria after World War I, the French realized the importance of exploiting sectarian groups to advance their colonial interests. Taking advantage of their poverty and long-standing exclusion from state institutions, they recruited Alawites into special military units. This strengthened their presence in the army, which later became the main gateway to their access to power after Syria's independence.

Tomorrow: Transformations of the Alawites in Syria during the 20th Century

T/S

ANHA