Syria's New Authorities Tackle Pro-Assad Militias Amid Sectarian Tensions

Syria's new leadership, formed by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a significant operation on Thursday against pro-Assad militias in the western province of Tartus. The operation resulted in the deaths of three gunmen linked to the former regime. This action follows the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled Syria after an Islamist-led offensive led to the loss of major cities, culminating in the fall of Damascus on December 8. His departure marked the end of his family’s five-decade rule and the conclusion of over 13 years of civil war.

HTS, which originated from Syria’s Al-Qaeda faction, now faces the complex task of stabilizing a deeply fragmented and multi-ethnic country. Despite its roots in Sunni jihadism, HTS has moderated its stance and promised to protect minority groups, including the Alawites, the sect from which Assad hailed.

The ongoing civil war, which began with Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, has led to a death toll of over 500,000 and left more than 100,000 people missing. The new authorities have committed to delivering justice for the victims of abuses under Assad's regime, which included widespread torture, extrajudicial executions, and forced disappearances.

The recent operation in Tartus, as reported by state media, was a response to militia activity in the region. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the offensive killed three pro-Assad gunmen. This comes just a day after violent clashes in the same area, in which 14 new security personnel and three gunmen died. The violence erupted during an attempt to arrest Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, a high-ranking official under Assad who oversaw military tribunals at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where thousands of prisoners were executed or disappeared.

Saydnaya prison became infamous for its role in suppressing opposition to Assad’s rule, with detainees facing torture and death. After the fall of Assad, many relatives of missing persons, especially in Damascus, hung up posters of their loved ones, hoping to learn their fate. The international community has called for accountability and justice for these atrocities.

However, as the new leadership takes charge, fears of sectarian violence remain. Some members of the Alawite community worry about facing retribution from groups seeking revenge for the atrocities committed under Assad’s rule. These concerns have been fueled by recent protests, including one in Qardaha, Assad’s hometown, after a video surfaced showing an attack on an Alawite shrine. In the city of Homs, security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in one death and five injuries.

HTS’s transitional authorities have stated that the shrine attack occurred during the liberation of Aleppo earlier in the month and was carried out by unknown groups. They condemned the republishing of the video, warning that it could incite further divisions within the population.

Protests erupted in several cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans calling for peace between Alawites and Sunnis. In Jableh, a coastal city near Tartus, crowds took to the streets demanding accountability for the shrine attack. Protesters like Ali Daoud called for justice, while others voiced concerns that the growing tensions could lead to an explosive situation. Ghidak Mayya, a protester in Latakia, expressed fears that escalating pressure on the Alawite community could ignite further violence.

The Alawite community, which numbers approximately 1.7 million, or nine percent of Syria’s population, remains at the center of these tensions. Historically closely aligned with Assad’s regime, the Alawites now face a precarious future, caught between the need for protection and the risk of collective revenge, particularly from Islamist factions who view them as heretics.

As Syria navigates this fragile transitional period, the actions of the new authorities and their ability to maintain peace and justice will be crucial in preventing further sectarian conflict and ensuring the long-term stability of the country.