In al-Qardaha, the serene ancestral village of the Assad family, haunting graffiti adorns the mausoleum of the late President Hafez al-Assad. For years, dissent was stifled under his oppressive regime, but now, with his family’s rule crumbling, Syrians are finally expressing their long-repressed anger.
Syria's Alawite Community Faces Uncertainty in Post-Assad Era
Syria's Alawite Community Faces Uncertainty in Post-Assad Era
As calls for accountability rise, the Alawite minority feels a growing anxiety over their future after the Assad regime's downfall.
The once-sacred site, perched on a hill, has become a symbol of changing tides. Recently, people have been seen cursing the deceased leader, imbuing the walls with messages of vengeance and resentment. “Curse your soul, Hafez” and “Didn’t I tell you we were coming for you?” reflect the boiling rage of those who endured years of tyranny.
Al-Qardaha, within Latakia province, serves as the heartland for Syria's Alawite minority, which constitutes about 10% of the population. Historically, the Alawites held power, influencing military and state operations under the Assad dynasty. The fall of Bashar al-Assad brings forth calls for justice, emphasizing the need to confront the atrocities committed during the regime’s reign.
Yet these demands for accountability have instilled fear within the Alawite community. “When they come in and curse and ransack, it doesn’t matter who he was,” observed Dr. Fidaa Deeb, a local gynecologist and Alawite resident, regarding the recent disrespect shown to the mausoleum. He highlighted the necessity of protecting the grave site amidst growing hostilities.
As Syria navigates a tumultuous phase seeking justice and redefining its future, the Alawite community is left to ponder their fate in this evolving landscape. With the ousting of the Assads, a wave of uncertainty looms, igniting discussions about accountability, identity, and the clash of past and future within the nation.
Al-Qardaha, within Latakia province, serves as the heartland for Syria's Alawite minority, which constitutes about 10% of the population. Historically, the Alawites held power, influencing military and state operations under the Assad dynasty. The fall of Bashar al-Assad brings forth calls for justice, emphasizing the need to confront the atrocities committed during the regime’s reign.
Yet these demands for accountability have instilled fear within the Alawite community. “When they come in and curse and ransack, it doesn’t matter who he was,” observed Dr. Fidaa Deeb, a local gynecologist and Alawite resident, regarding the recent disrespect shown to the mausoleum. He highlighted the necessity of protecting the grave site amidst growing hostilities.
As Syria navigates a tumultuous phase seeking justice and redefining its future, the Alawite community is left to ponder their fate in this evolving landscape. With the ousting of the Assads, a wave of uncertainty looms, igniting discussions about accountability, identity, and the clash of past and future within the nation.
