Who Are the Nusayri Shias Behind Bashar al-Assad?
The Nusayri Shias, also known as Alawites, are a minority sect that has played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of modern Syria. Their historical evolution, alliances, and controversial rise to power have left a lasting imprint on the region’s geopolitics and inter-sectarian dynamics.
Origins and Identity of Nusayri Shias
The Nusayris, an offshoot of Shia Islam, hold esoteric beliefs that diverge significantly from mainstream Islamic teachings. They venerate Ali (RA), the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, attributing divine qualities to him. Historically, the Nusayris were marginalized and lived as nomadic tribes in the mountainous regions of Syria, disconnected from the political and social mainstream.
Their fortunes changed after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, when colonial powers redrew the map of the Middle East under the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
Colonial Alliances: Nusayris as French Proxies
Following the division of Ottoman territories, France gained control over Syria and Lebanon. To solidify its grip, France sought local allies who could serve as intermediaries in governing the region. The Nusayris, marginalized and seeking upward mobility, became the ideal candidates.
The French recruited Nusayris into the military, granting them positions of authority. Over time, the Nusayris established a stronghold within Syria’s armed forces, laying the foundation for their eventual dominance. This alliance with the French marked a turning point, transforming the Nusayris from an isolated group into a politically influential force.
The Rise of the Assads
The turning point in Nusayri dominance came with Hafez al-Assad, a military officer who rose through the ranks to seize power in a 1970 coup. Backed by the Ba'ath Party, Assad declared Syria a socialist-secular republic, effectively side-lining the Sunni majority.
The Ba'ath Party, rooted in Arab nationalism and socialism, gained prominence across the Middle East in the mid-20th century. Figures like Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Saddam Hussein (Iraq), and Muammar Gaddafi (Libya) were ideologically aligned with Ba'athist principles. However, the party's secularism and repression of Islamist movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, sparked fierce ideological struggles.
The Syrian State Under Assad Rule
Under Hafez al-Assad and later his son, Bashar al-Assad, the Nusayris consolidated power. They dominated Syria's military and administrative structures, disproportionately benefiting from national resources. This elite capture sowed deep resentment among the Sunni majority, setting the stage for future unrest.
While the Assad regime projected itself as a bastion of resistance against Israel and imperialism, it simultaneously suppressed Islamist groups at home. The regime's brutal crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, including the infamous Hama massacre of 1982, exemplified its zero-tolerance policy toward dissent.
Shifts in Alliances: From Secularism to Shiite Solidarity
In the 1980s, as Ba'athist ideology waned, the Assad regime sought new allies. Iran, under the newly established Islamic Republic, emerged as a natural partner. Despite differing ideologies, the two states found common ground in their opposition to Israel and Western influence.
This realignment saw the creation of Hezbollah, a Shia militia in Lebanon backed by both Iran and Syria. The Assad regime’s pivot toward Shia solidarity further alienated Sunni groups and deepened sectarian divisions in the region.
The Syrian Civil War: A Sectarian Battle
The Arab Spring of 2011 brought long-simmering tensions to the surface. Protests against Bashar al-Assad's authoritarian rule quickly escalated into a full-scale civil war. The Sunni majority, long marginalized, led the uprising. Defections from the Syrian army created a rebel force determined to overthrow the Assad regime.
Assad responded with overwhelming force, relying on support from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. The regime's use of chemical weapons, sieges, and mass killings drew international condemnation but failed to unseat Assad.
While the U.S., Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar supported various rebel factions, their lack of cohesive strategy weakened the opposition. Over time, Assad regained control of key territories, aided by Russian air support and Iranian ground forces.
The Role of Islamist Movements
The civil war also highlighted divisions within the rebel factions.
Moderate and Secular Groups: Backed by Western powers, these groups aimed to establish a democratic Syria but lacked grassroots support.
Islamist Factions: Groups affiliated with al-Qaeda (AQ) and other Islamist movements gained prominence, advocating for Sharia law and rejecting Western-backed solutions.
ISIS: The rise of ISIS further complicated the conflict, drawing attention away from the broader rebellion and providing Assad with a pretext to label all opposition as terrorists.
Turkey, while opposing Assad, maintained a delicate balance. It supported some Islamist factions to counter Kurdish groups but avoided empowering AQ-linked factions.
The Bigger Picture: Regional and Global Stakes
The Syrian conflict is not just a civil war; it is a proxy battleground for global and regional powers:
Iran and Russia: Support Assad to maintain their influence in the region.
Turkey and Qatar: Back certain rebel factions while pursuing their geopolitical interests.
Saudi Arabia and UAE: Initially supported the rebels but later adopted more neutral or pro-Assad stances.
The U.S.: Focused on defeating ISIS and AQ linked groups while balancing relations with Turkey and the Kurdish forces.
The Assad regime’s survival underscores the resilience of authoritarian systems when backed by powerful allies. However, it also highlights the failure of international actors to resolve the conflict decisively.
Conclusion: The Cost of Sectarianism and Foreign Meddling
The Nusayri Shias’ rise from marginalization to dominance under the Assad regime has come at a steep cost. Their reliance on foreign powers, sectarian favouritism, and brutal suppression of dissent have plunged Syria into a protracted conflict with no clear resolution.
The war’s devastating impact on Syria’s population and infrastructure underscores the dangers of sectarian politics and the cynical use of local factions by global powers. As Syria’s tragedy continues to unfold, it serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of ignoring the grievances of the majority in favour of minority rule propped up by external actors.