Syrian Alawites After Assad: From Marginalization to Federalism Demands
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, Syria’s Alawite community has faced a wave of security threats and political exclusion, prompting the formation of religious and political councils to safeguard their rights and ensure a role in the country’s future.
Sources from Damascus and Latakia note that Assad’s ousting marked a turning point for the Alawites, who historically make up around 12% of Syria’s population and have oscillated between marginalization and positions of power in modern times, Shia Waves Persian reported.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, roughly 1,400 Alawite civilians in coastal provinces and Hama were victims of retaliatory violence after the regime’s collapse, fueling widespread security and social concerns within the community.
Reports from Al Arabiya indicate that Alawite religious and political leaders moved quickly to prevent total exclusion by establishing new councils and institutions. Early in 2025, the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, chaired by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, was created. The council features both religious and executive branches; the religious council comprises 130 members from various provinces, while the executive branch manages offices covering politics, economics, public relations, legal affairs, and historical documentation.
In August 2025, the Political Council for Central and Western Syria was established, according to Al Mayadeen. Its jurisdiction covers Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and parts of Hama’s countryside. The council has called for a federal system, the release of detainees, political power-sharing, and the creation of a secular, decentralized governance structure. Members also stressed the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 to form a transitional body and eliminate terrorist groups.
Analysts speaking to Al Jazeera suggest that the emergence of these councils reflects minority communities’ growing interest in self-governance and decentralization. While this trend could help end Syria’s historically centralized and repressive governance, it also raises concerns about potential fragmentation.
The councils’ success will largely depend on their ability to earn public trust, maintain internal cohesion, and engage constructively with regional and international actors.
Overall, Syrian Alawites are at a critical juncture, navigating the tension between exclusion and efforts to redefine their place in a post-Assad Syria.
