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?

Omar al-Tawil, a 15-year-old&nbsp;schoolboy in Damascus, is one of 24,000 Syrian&nbsp;youngsters now&nbsp;learning&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;at&nbsp;school&nbsp;after the country added the language of the government's most powerful ally to the curriculum.

Many&nbsp;young&nbsp;people in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thank-god-for-assassination-for-syrians-in-idlib-killing-of-soleimani-a-victory-273458">Syria</a>, where Moscow intervened in 2015 to help President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-will-not-withdraw-from-army-posts-in-syrias-idlib-270861">Bashar al-Assad </a>win back territory, are eager to study&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;in order to travel to Russia or work in&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;companies they expect to appear in Syria in the future.

"At first we didn't understand anything and when we first heard the words we started to laugh, it was hard," said Tawil. "The teachers are helping us to love this language."

Radwan Rahhal, Coordinator of the Russian&nbsp;language in the Syrian Education Ministry, said demand for the classes outstrips supply.

"We have more than 24,000 students who are&nbsp;learning&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;and the number is increasing. But we cannot expand more than this in the meantime unless we have more teachers."

The Syrian Education Ministry added&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;as an&nbsp;optional second foreign language in&nbsp;schools after English or French in 2014. Graduates in&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;literature willing to teach it to attend special courses supervised by experts from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Moscow</a>.

Russian&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Vladimir Putin</a> visited Syria on Tuesday for the second time since Moscow's decisive intervention and met Assad in Damascus.

Russian&nbsp;and Iranian support has helped Assad win back nearly all the territory lost to rebels who tried to overthrow him in a civil war that grew out of a crackdown on opposition protests nearly nine years ago.

Omar al-Tawil, a 15-year-old schoolboy in Damascus, is one of 24,000 Syrian youngsters now learning Russian at school after the country added the language of the government's most powerful ally to the curriculum.

Omar al-Tawil, a 15-year-old schoolboy in Damascus, is one of 24,000 Syrian youngsters now learning Russian at school after the country added the language of the government's most powerful ally to the curriculum. Many young people in Syria, where Moscow intervened in 2015 to help President Bashar al-Assad win back territory, are eager to study Russian in order to travel to Russia or work in Russian companies they expect to appear in Syria in the future. "At first we didn't understand anything and when we first heard the words we started to laugh, it was hard," said Tawil. "The teachers are helping us to love this language." Radwan Rahhal, Coordinator of the Russian language in the Syrian Education Ministry, said demand for the classes outstrips supply. "We have more than 24,000 students who are learning Russian and the number is increasing. But we cannot expand more than this in the meantime unless we have more teachers." The Syrian Education Ministry added Russian as an optional second foreign language in schools after English or French in 2014. Graduates in Russian literature willing to teach it to attend special courses supervised by experts from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Syria on Tuesday for the second time since Moscow's decisive intervention and met Assad in Damascus. Russian and Iranian support has helped Assad win back nearly all the territory lost to rebels who tried to overthrow him in a civil war that grew out of a crackdown on opposition protests nearly nine years ago.

Syrian students opt to learn 'Russian' language at school for better future

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

Syrian students opt to learn 'Russian' language at school for better future