The self-proclaimed interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has called on opponents of the new government in Damascus to lay down their arms before it is too late.
His appeal comes amid ongoing clashes in coastal regions and reports from human rights organisations alleging mass killings of Alawite and Christian civilians. These developments indicate that, months after the Syrian opposition toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the country remains unstable, with supporters of the former government attempting to regain a foothold in parts of Syria. At the same time, the new authorities have yet to establish full control over Damascus, as reports have surfaced of a planned coup against al-Sharaa in the Syrian capital.
The conflict in Syria is not merely a struggle between the old and new regimes. Under Assad, the government relied heavily on national and religious minorities, while the Sunni majority, supported by Turkey, remained marginalised. The prolonged civil war led to significant demographic shifts. The majority of Syrian refugees who fled to Europe and Turkey were Sunni Arabs, while minority groups largely remained in the country. Now, returning Sunni exiles, alongside opposition fighters once defeated with Iranian and Russian backing, are attempting to consolidate power.
Since taking office, al-Sharaa has met with representatives of various national and religious communities to advocate for an inclusive Syria. However, conspicuously absent from these meetings were Alawite leaders—the very group that formed the backbone of Assad’s rule. This exclusion suggests that the Alawite community is seen by the new authorities as a principal threat. Moreover, from the perspective of radical Islamists aligned with the government, Alawites are often regarded as a sect outside mainstream Islam, exacerbating sectarian tensions. The situation has already resulted in widespread violence, with reports of massacres in Alawite and Christian villages along Syria’s coast.
The latest reports from Syrian human rights groups further underscore the scale of the violence. Over two days, 340 Alawite civilians have been killed in coastal regions and the mountains of Latakia by security forces and allied fighters. According to the Syrian Monitoring Centre, these killings occurred amid the government’s efforts to suppress loyalist insurgents from Assad’s Alawite clan. Witnesses report mass executions, looting of homes, and destruction of property by pro-government forces. The total death toll from recent clashes has risen to 553, including 93 security personnel from the new administration and 120 pro-Assad fighters.
In this volatile environment, the prospects for stability remain uncertain. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has supported the new government, seeing an opportunity to weaken Syrian Kurdish factions that have established de facto autonomy during the civil war. Meanwhile, Israel has voiced strong opposition to al-Sharaa and his allies. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has condemned the persecution of Alawites and Christians, portraying al-Sharaa as a militant leader with ties to extremist groups. Tel Aviv has also justified recent Israeli military movements in Syria as a necessary response to protect the Druze population residing near the Golan Heights, many of whom have family members in northern Israel.
Israel’s military intervention, framed as a humanitarian measure to prevent further repression by Syria’s Sunni-led administration, underscores the growing regional implications of the conflict. Previously, Israeli concerns about Syria were dismissed as strategic manoeuvring aimed at keeping the country weak and demilitarised. However, the latest reports of sectarian killings have strengthened Israel’s argument that the new leadership in Damascus is driven by radical Islamist elements.
The international community’s response to al-Sharaa’s government has also been marked by miscalculations. Arab leaders who quickly recognised his rule, hoping he would bring stability, may have acted prematurely. The persistence of sectarian violence and the marginalisation of key communities suggest that Syria could be sliding back into turmoil. Even if the Alawite uprising is suppressed, the broader problem remains: the new government is heavily reliant on Sunni support and is consolidating its rule through force and repression.
A recent diplomatic incident further highlights these sectarian undercurrents. During German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s visit to Damascus, al-Sharaa’s refusal to shake her hand was seen as a symbolic affirmation of his government’s adherence to religious orthodoxy. This gesture, seemingly minor, serves as a reminder of the thin line between ideological governance and authoritarianism.
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