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?

The United States accused the Syrian regime on Friday of using &quot;starvation as a weapon of war&quot; -- a war crime under the Geneva Conventions -- stepping up the rhetoric against Bashar al-Assad and his Russian backers.

Rejecting the Kremlin claims that attacks on Aleppo have stopped, a US official told AFP &quot;the regime has rejected UN requests to deliver aid to Eastern Aleppo -- using starvation as a weapon of war.&quot;

The language mirrors the Geneva Conventions&#39; prohibition against starving civilians &quot;as a method of warfare.&quot;

Aleppo&#39;s quarter of a million residents have been besieged and bombarded for months, prompting international outcry.

Washington is currently weighing further sanctions against Syria and a push for justice at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Officials hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin may rethink his country&#39;s participation in a war that has seen chemical weapons and barrel bombs used against civilians, if Russia is seen as an international pariah.

Earlier Friday Russia failed to win re-election to the UN Human Rights Commission, a serious diplomatic blow.

&quot;We are taking steps, whether its ramping up public pressure or other forms of pressure,&quot; a second senior Obama administration official told AFP.

&quot;We are still looking at the whole arsenal of tools to make them feel the weight of international criticism, not saying that in and of itself is going to work.&quot;

&quot;But we have some indication that they don&#39;t want to be viewed -- the Russians in particular -- as being guilty of war crimes.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;ve also spoken about forms of international accountability when it comes to Russian and regime actions.&quot;

The Kremlin said Friday that Putin did not think it was time to resume air strikes on Aleppo after the defense ministry requested that a moratorium on bombing be lifted.

Syrian rebels launched a major assault Friday aimed at linking opposition-held districts with the outside world.

But a US official gave the Kremlin&#39;s claim short shrift.

&quot;Despite Russia&#39;s claims, attacks by the regime and its backers have continued in Aleppo,&quot; the official said.

&quot;We continue to look at Russia&#39;s actions not their words to determine if Russia is meeting their claims about their military intervention on behalf of the Assad regime.&quot;

A US official said 'the regime has rejected UN requests to deliver aid to Eastern Aleppo -- using starvation as a weapon of war'

The United States accused the Syrian regime on Friday of using "starvation as a weapon of war" -- a war crime under the Geneva Conventions -- stepping up the rhetoric against Bashar al-Assad and his Russian backers. Rejecting the Kremlin claims that attacks on Aleppo have stopped, a US official told AFP "the regime has rejected UN requests to deliver aid to Eastern Aleppo -- using starvation as a weapon of war." The language mirrors the Geneva Conventions' prohibition against starving civilians "as a method of warfare." Aleppo's quarter of a million residents have been besieged and bombarded for months, prompting international outcry. Washington is currently weighing further sanctions against Syria and a push for justice at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Officials hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin may rethink his country's participation in a war that has seen chemical weapons and barrel bombs used against civilians, if Russia is seen as an international pariah. Earlier Friday Russia failed to win re-election to the UN Human Rights Commission, a serious diplomatic blow. "We are taking steps, whether its ramping up public pressure or other forms of pressure," a second senior Obama administration official told AFP. "We are still looking at the whole arsenal of tools to make them feel the weight of international criticism, not saying that in and of itself is going to work." "But we have some indication that they don't want to be viewed -- the Russians in particular -- as being guilty of war crimes." "We've also spoken about forms of international accountability when it comes to Russian and regime actions." The Kremlin said Friday that Putin did not think it was time to resume air strikes on Aleppo after the defense ministry requested that a moratorium on bombing be lifted. Syrian rebels launched a major assault Friday aimed at linking opposition-held districts with the outside world. But a US official gave the Kremlin's claim short shrift. "Despite Russia's claims, attacks by the regime and its backers have continued in Aleppo," the official said. "We continue to look at Russia's actions not their words to determine if Russia is meeting their claims about their military intervention on behalf of the Assad regime."

US accuses Syrian regime of using starvation as 'weapon of war'

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

US accuses Syrian regime of using starvation as 'weapon of war'