The long rule of the Assad family in Syria that lasted over half a century came to an end after rebel groups seized the capital Damascus and overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday (Dec 8).

Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawites community, maintained power over the Sunni-majority Syria for 24 years.

However, the collapse of his rule has forced him to flee the country to Russia, ending his family’s 54-year rule.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-to-hold-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-situation-in-syria-as-assad-flees-country-782534">UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting to discuss situation in Syria as Assad flees country</a>

<h2>Who are the Alawites?</h2>

The ouster of Assad brought sharp focus back to his community Alawites, a minority Shia sect in a Sunni-majority country. 
 
The Alawites are significantly different from other Islamic sects. Although they make up only about 10-13 per cent of Syria's 23 million population, they have asserted dominance over the nation after its independence from France in 1946.

Amid the rising influence within the country’s politics and military forces, Hafez al-Assad became president after the military coup in 1970. He remained in power until his death in 2000. His son Bashar al-Assad then followed his father’s footsteps, becoming the president in an authoritarian rule until his fall, which marked the end of Alawite dominance in Syria's governance.

While Alawites have roots in Shia Islam, they practice distinct rituals and beliefs from Sunni and mainstream Shia.

The Alawite faith venerates Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad.

It has elements of other faiths including Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Zoroastrian.

Alawites interpret the five Pillars of Islam symbolically and observe Christian, Islamic, and Alawite holidays.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whats-next-for-syria-following-bashar-al-assads-ouster-782657">What's next for Syria following Bashar al-Assad's ouster?</a>

Their practices and secretive nature of faith have alienated them from the other mainstream Muslim groups, who often label them as infidels.

Their beliefs include reincarnation and a divine Trinity.

The Alawites benefitted under Assad family rule, becoming synonymous with power in the country where they were minorities.

However, not all Alawites were in support of Assad.

Despite their influence, a large section of the community faced economic challenges and did not profit from Assad’s rule.

After the fall of Assad, Alawites are struck with shock and confusion as their future remains uncertain during the shifting political landscape of the country, which has resulted in a loss of their influence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The long rule of the Assad family in Syria that lasted over half a century came to an end after rebel groups seized the capital Damascus and overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday (Dec 8).

The long rule of the Assad family in Syria that lasted over half a century came to an end after rebel groups seized the capital Damascus and overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday (Dec 8). Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawites community, maintained power over the Sunni-majority Syria for 24 years. However, the collapse of his rule has forced him to flee the country to Russia, ending his family’s 54-year rule. Also read | UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting to discuss situation in Syria as Assad flees country Who are the Alawites? The ouster of Assad brought sharp focus back to his community Alawites, a minority Shia sect in a Sunni-majority country. The Alawites are significantly different from other Islamic sects. Although they make up only about 10-13 per cent of Syria's 23 million population, they have asserted dominance over the nation after its independence from France in 1946. Amid the rising influence within the country’s politics and military forces, Hafez al-Assad became president after the military coup in 1970. He remained in power until his death in 2000. His son Bashar al-Assad then followed his father’s footsteps, becoming the president in an authoritarian rule until his fall, which marked the end of Alawite dominance in Syria's governance. While Alawites have roots in Shia Islam, they practice distinct rituals and beliefs from Sunni and mainstream Shia. The Alawite faith venerates Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. It has elements of other faiths including Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Zoroastrian. Alawites interpret the five Pillars of Islam symbolically and observe Christian, Islamic, and Alawite holidays. Also read | What's next for Syria following Bashar al-Assad's ouster? Their practices and secretive nature of faith have alienated them from the other mainstream Muslim groups, who often label them as infidels. Their beliefs include reincarnation and a divine Trinity. The Alawites benefitted under Assad family rule, becoming synonymous with power in the country where they were minorities. However, not all Alawites were in support of Assad. Despite their influence, a large section of the community faced economic challenges and did not profit from Assad’s rule. After the fall of Assad, Alawites are struck with shock and confusion as their future remains uncertain during the shifting political landscape of the country, which has resulted in a loss of their influence. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Who are the Alawites, Assad's community, who dominated Syria despite being a minority?

Dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in Syria's Idlib province as the government pressed a deadly offensive Thursday towards a key town in the country's last rebel bastion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/250000-migrants-fleeing-from-syrias-idlib-towards-turkey-tayyip-erdogan-271660">Also Read:&nbsp;250,000 migrants fleeing from Syria's Idlib towards Turkey, says Erdogan</a>

The latest violence, which followed airstrikes that killed 19 civilians on Wednesday, buried a ceasefire deal announced by Russia and rebel backer Turkey that never really took hold.

"Clashes broke out around midnight on Wednesday south of the city of Maaret al-Numan, together with heavy bombardment despite the Russian-Turkish truce," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said.

According to the Britain-based war monitor, the fighting raged in areas south of Maaret al-Numan, the key target of the Syrian government's latest military offensive.

At least 26 anti-government fighters were killed, most of them members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group that includes fighters from the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

The Observatory said 29 government troops and allied militia were also killed in the fighting.

The Syrian state news agency SANA later reported that at least four civilians were killed by rocket fire on the city of Aleppo.

Jihadist and rebel groups are present west of northern city, on which hey routinely launch rocket attacks.

Abdel Rahman said that government forces were now just seven kilometres (less than five miles) from Maaret al-Numan, a town that was one of the bastions of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Nearly nine years into the conflict, protests against the government are still held in some of the province's towns.

In the city of Idlib itself, 19 civilians were killed and several others wounded in Russian and Syrian air strikes on Wednesday, the Observatory said.

AFP reporters saw scenes of chaos after the strikes, that blew several buildings in an industrial zone to smithereens.

The bombardment engulfed several vehicles, leaving torched corpses of motorists trapped inside.

- 'Nowhere to go' - 
Mustafa, who runs a repair shop in the area, was lucky to escape with his life. He had just left the store to pick up some spare parts.

He told AFP he returned to find the shop destroyed and his four employees trapped under rubble. It was not immediately clear if they had survived.&nbsp;

"This is not the neighbourhood I left two minutes ago!" Mustafa said, tears rolling down his face.&nbsp;

The ceasefire announced by the Russian army on Sunday joins a long list of short-lived or still-born initiatives to curb the violence in Syria.

"We live here without knowing if there is really a truce or if it's just in the media. On the ground, there is no truce. People are afraid, the markets are empty," Sari Bitar, a 32-year-old engineer living in Idlib city told AFP on Thursday.

"Just like everybody else, I can't stay in an area on which the regime, Russian forces and Iranian militia will advance," he said.

"The only problem is that there is nowhere to go," Bitar said. "Syria is now limited to this geographical area, which is getting smaller day by day."

Assad has repeatedly pledged to continue the reconquest that Russia's 2015 military intervention kickstarted until all Syrian territory has been reclaimed.

Idlib province is a dead end for people displaced from other formerly rebel-held parts of the country that government forces have retaken.

It has come under mounting bombardment in recent weeks, displacing tens of thousands of people in the northwestern province, which is home to some three million.

The United Nations' humanitarian coordination agency OCHA said that since December 1 alone, almost 350,000 people had fled their homes, mainly heading northwards from southern Idlib, which has borne the brunt of the air strikes.

"An additional 650,000 people, the majority of them women and children, could be forced to flee their homes if the violence continues," the International Rescue Committee warned in a statement.

The European Union expressed deep concern over the collapse of the fledgling ceasefire in Idlib and also warned that further violence could trigger an unprecedented wave of refugees and displaced.

The winter conditions in Idlib, with sub-zero temperatures interspersed by heavy rain, are putting thousands of lives at risk.

A UN resolution on cross-border aid to Syria maintained two key entry points for UN humanitarian aid into Idlib, where the number of people in extreme need keeps growing. 
&nbsp;

Dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in Syria's Idlib province as the government pressed a deadly offensive Thursday towards a key town in the country's last rebel bastion.

Dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in Syria's Idlib province as the government pressed a deadly offensive Thursday towards a key town in the country's last rebel bastion. Also Read: 250,000 migrants fleeing from Syria's Idlib towards Turkey, says Erdogan The latest violence, which followed airstrikes that killed 19 civilians on Wednesday, buried a ceasefire deal announced by Russia and rebel backer Turkey that never really took hold. "Clashes broke out around midnight on Wednesday south of the city of Maaret al-Numan, together with heavy bombardment despite the Russian-Turkish truce," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said. According to the Britain-based war monitor, the fighting raged in areas south of Maaret al-Numan, the key target of the Syrian government's latest military offensive. At least 26 anti-government fighters were killed, most of them members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group that includes fighters from the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. The Observatory said 29 government troops and allied militia were also killed in the fighting. The Syrian state news agency SANA later reported that at least four civilians were killed by rocket fire on the city of Aleppo. Jihadist and rebel groups are present west of northern city, on which hey routinely launch rocket attacks. Abdel Rahman said that government forces were now just seven kilometres (less than five miles) from Maaret al-Numan, a town that was one of the bastions of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Nearly nine years into the conflict, protests against the government are still held in some of the province's towns. In the city of Idlib itself, 19 civilians were killed and several others wounded in Russian and Syrian air strikes on Wednesday, the Observatory said. AFP reporters saw scenes of chaos after the strikes, that blew several buildings in an industrial zone to smithereens. The bombardment engulfed several vehicles, leaving torched corpses of motorists trapped inside. - 'Nowhere to go' - Mustafa, who runs a repair shop in the area, was lucky to escape with his life. He had just left the store to pick up some spare parts. He told AFP he returned to find the shop destroyed and his four employees trapped under rubble. It was not immediately clear if they had survived. "This is not the neighbourhood I left two minutes ago!" Mustafa said, tears rolling down his face. The ceasefire announced by the Russian army on Sunday joins a long list of short-lived or still-born initiatives to curb the violence in Syria. "We live here without knowing if there is really a truce or if it's just in the media. On the ground, there is no truce. People are afraid, the markets are empty," Sari Bitar, a 32-year-old engineer living in Idlib city told AFP on Thursday. "Just like everybody else, I can't stay in an area on which the regime, Russian forces and Iranian militia will advance," he said. "The only problem is that there is nowhere to go," Bitar said. "Syria is now limited to this geographical area, which is getting smaller day by day." Assad has repeatedly pledged to continue the reconquest that Russia's 2015 military intervention kickstarted until all Syrian territory has been reclaimed. Idlib province is a dead end for people displaced from other formerly rebel-held parts of the country that government forces have retaken. It has come under mounting bombardment in recent weeks, displacing tens of thousands of people in the northwestern province, which is home to some three million. The United Nations' humanitarian coordination agency OCHA said that since December 1 alone, almost 350,000 people had fled their homes, mainly heading northwards from southern Idlib, which has borne the brunt of the air strikes. "An additional 650,000 people, the majority of them women and children, could be forced to flee their homes if the violence continues," the International Rescue Committee warned in a statement. The European Union expressed deep concern over the collapse of the fledgling ceasefire in Idlib and also warned that further violence could trigger an unprecedented wave of refugees and displaced. The winter conditions in Idlib, with sub-zero temperatures interspersed by heavy rain, are putting thousands of lives at risk. A UN resolution on cross-border aid to Syria maintained two key entry points for UN humanitarian aid into Idlib, where the number of people in extreme need keeps growing.

Several civilians killed as Syrian government presses Idlib offensive

assad-government

Assad Government, News on Assad Government, stories on Assad Government, articles on Assad Government, Assad Government stories at Wion, Assad Government news, Assad Government latest news

assad government

Who are the Alawites, Assad's community, who dominated Syria despite being a minority?

Several civilians killed as Syrian government presses Idlib offensive