In the aftermath of the Assad regime’s downfall, fear and uncertainty grip the Alawite community in Latakia. Noor, an Alawite woman, recently confronted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) over armed men invading her home and forcing her family out in the cold. With a minority sect that has historically supported the regime, many Alawites dread a reckoning as HTS establishes itself as the new authority, having shifted from rebel fighters to law enforcers almost overnight.
Latakia, a city on Syria's north-west coast, is the heartland of the Alawite community, which constitutes about 10% of Syria's population. It's a mix of fear and hope as Noor leaves her apartment with her children, fearful of the new regime yet relieved to have her property back. She emphasizes how intimidating HTS may appear but acknowledges kindness in their assistance. Still, many Alawites remain skeptical of this new power, burdened by the legacy of oppression under the Assad regime.
As HTS aims to foster a sense of security, chaos looms with competing armed groups vying for control. The lingering shadows of sectarian animosity and past violence challenge the promise of unity for all sects in Syria. Despite gathering public support in the streets, the Alawite community watches in silence, haunted by history and wary of what lies ahead under this turbulent new order. Amidst the triumphs of liberation celebrations, the complex socio-political reality leaves many, like Noor, questioning their future safety and place in reimagined Syria.
