With the chilling afternoon light pouring into the courtyard, Noor stood trembling—not from the cold, but from raw anxiety. She approached the armed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syria's current ruling force, to lodge a complaint about the armed men who stormed her home in Latakia three days prior. “They broke down the door,” she recounted, her voice quaking as she spoke to HTS general security commander, Abu Ayoub. The men, with beards and military gear, had forcibly evicted her, taking over her family's apartment.
Noor, a member of the Alawite sect from which the Assad family hails, symbolizes the fear gripping her community. Latakia is not only home to her but also a heartland for Alawites, who constitute around 10% of the predominantly Sunni population. The ongoing upheaval follows the withdrawal of government forces, leaving a power void filled by various rebel groups, including HTS, which once had ties to al-Qaeda but has evolved amidst the new political landscape in Syria.
Reliving the trauma, Noor provided CCTV footage of the incident to Abu Ayoub, detailing the chaos inflicted upon her family. As she narrated her experience languidly, other locals voiced similar grievances, illustrating the chaos that has ensued in Latakia. One man arrived bearing visible injuries, claiming militiamen had assaulted his family and robbed their home. The fear is palpable as many Alawites have not left their residences, hesitant that their past support for the Assad regime might warrant retribution.
Noor's case is just one of many, as countless residents queue to voice complaints at the former military intelligence headquarters, a building once synonymous with oppression, now a sanctuary for those seeking justice. Despite HTS's promises to create stability and protect minority populations, reports of violence and retribution continue to haunt the streets.
Upon responding to various disturbances, Abu Ayoub and his men constantly face claims of misconduct. “It is a bit chaotic,” he admitted, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining order. Yet, amid rising tensions, the new patrons of power hope to reassure the local populace of their intentions. However, the sense of mistrust remains, exacerbated by a history of sectarian divides instigated by the Assad regime.
Recently, Latakia witnessed public gatherings celebrating the regime's overthrow, where diverse sects displayed unity. However, the aftermath brings a stark reality for the Alawite community, now caught in an environment rife with uncertainty. The liberation is bittersweet; while some revel in newfound freedom, others brace for the potential repercussions of their past allegiances.
Despite the hurdles ahead, hope persists. Abu Ayoub affirmed that matters would be addressed, as they endeavored to reclaim Noor's home and belongings. Nevertheless, Noor herself concedes a lingering sense of insecurity: “It's impossible for me to live here again.” Shattered by fear, her journey forward remains clouded in ambiguity as she navigates life in a post-Assad Syria, where trust bears a heavy price.
Noor, a member of the Alawite sect from which the Assad family hails, symbolizes the fear gripping her community. Latakia is not only home to her but also a heartland for Alawites, who constitute around 10% of the predominantly Sunni population. The ongoing upheaval follows the withdrawal of government forces, leaving a power void filled by various rebel groups, including HTS, which once had ties to al-Qaeda but has evolved amidst the new political landscape in Syria.
Reliving the trauma, Noor provided CCTV footage of the incident to Abu Ayoub, detailing the chaos inflicted upon her family. As she narrated her experience languidly, other locals voiced similar grievances, illustrating the chaos that has ensued in Latakia. One man arrived bearing visible injuries, claiming militiamen had assaulted his family and robbed their home. The fear is palpable as many Alawites have not left their residences, hesitant that their past support for the Assad regime might warrant retribution.
Noor's case is just one of many, as countless residents queue to voice complaints at the former military intelligence headquarters, a building once synonymous with oppression, now a sanctuary for those seeking justice. Despite HTS's promises to create stability and protect minority populations, reports of violence and retribution continue to haunt the streets.
Upon responding to various disturbances, Abu Ayoub and his men constantly face claims of misconduct. “It is a bit chaotic,” he admitted, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining order. Yet, amid rising tensions, the new patrons of power hope to reassure the local populace of their intentions. However, the sense of mistrust remains, exacerbated by a history of sectarian divides instigated by the Assad regime.
Recently, Latakia witnessed public gatherings celebrating the regime's overthrow, where diverse sects displayed unity. However, the aftermath brings a stark reality for the Alawite community, now caught in an environment rife with uncertainty. The liberation is bittersweet; while some revel in newfound freedom, others brace for the potential repercussions of their past allegiances.
Despite the hurdles ahead, hope persists. Abu Ayoub affirmed that matters would be addressed, as they endeavored to reclaim Noor's home and belongings. Nevertheless, Noor herself concedes a lingering sense of insecurity: “It's impossible for me to live here again.” Shattered by fear, her journey forward remains clouded in ambiguity as she navigates life in a post-Assad Syria, where trust bears a heavy price.
