This was quite an interesting article. I have had little sympathy for the Alawites because I know they were connected to both Assad regimes. I didn't know much about their history or their tribal infighting.
That said, as an Israeli, I still have little sympathy for any Syrian - except maybe the Druze.
As far as greater Syria goes, if they are busy killing each other, they won't be killing us.
The Alawites are very much like the Druze. And the only Alawites to have benefited from the Assad regimes were friends and family members. The rest of the beneficiaries were Sunni Muslim members of the elite.
Thank you for the articles showing interesting facts and background information of the Alawites and their true relation to the Assad regimes over the years.
When the French created Syria after WW1 and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, they intentionally filled the ranks of Syria's military with Alawites, precisely because they were a minority and unlikely to lead a popular uprising. The British did the same in India by promoting Sikhs into the armed forces.
Here is a link to a short Honors Thesis on that subject:
When Syria became independent and followed a series of military coups, the Alawites (and the Druze) were well placed to take power because of their leading position in the armed forces.
Hafez al-Assad wanted to study medicine (as one of the few people in his impoverished Alawite village to have completed high school) but could not afford to, so he joined the Syrian Air Force instead. He was part of the 1963 Baathist coup that took power in Syria, which also had Syrian Druze among its leaders.
This was quite an interesting article. I have had little sympathy for the Alawites because I know they were connected to both Assad regimes. I didn't know much about their history or their tribal infighting.
That said, as an Israeli, I still have little sympathy for any Syrian - except maybe the Druze.
As far as greater Syria goes, if they are busy killing each other, they won't be killing us.
The Alawites are very much like the Druze. And the only Alawites to have benefited from the Assad regimes were friends and family members. The rest of the beneficiaries were Sunni Muslim members of the elite.
Thank you for the articles showing interesting facts and background information of the Alawites and their true relation to the Assad regimes over the years.
Great article, Sheri. I look forward to the next installment.
Thank you Sheri! Very enlighten article as I was sure that the Alawits are just a muslim sect.
Fascinating article, with clear and concise explanations. Thank you for sharing it.
Glad you appreciated it.
so interesting - thanks for the lesson on Alawites and their history.
Glad you found it interesting. More to come.
What a twisted tale. Thank you for bringing insight and understanding of the Alawite history in Jordan.
Brilliant politicking on the part of the elder Assad, eh?
Fascinating.
Thank you for this informative article.
When the French created Syria after WW1 and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, they intentionally filled the ranks of Syria's military with Alawites, precisely because they were a minority and unlikely to lead a popular uprising. The British did the same in India by promoting Sikhs into the armed forces.
Here is a link to a short Honors Thesis on that subject:
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors202029/133/
When Syria became independent and followed a series of military coups, the Alawites (and the Druze) were well placed to take power because of their leading position in the armed forces.
Hafez al-Assad wanted to study medicine (as one of the few people in his impoverished Alawite village to have completed high school) but could not afford to, so he joined the Syrian Air Force instead. He was part of the 1963 Baathist coup that took power in Syria, which also had Syrian Druze among its leaders.
Interesting thesis. Thanks for sharing it here