Who is to blame for recent bloodshed in Syria?

There are no ‘pro-Assad fighters.’ There are just Alawites defending themselves from other Syrians who want vengeance for crimes committed by the old regime.

Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown in 2024. Assad needed reliable allies to run the tyrannical state, and Alawites needed jobs, so they ended up greatly over-represented in the lower ranks of the army and government, writes Gwynne Dyer.Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

March 11, 2025

LONDON, U.K.—“They kidnapped; they killed; they humiliated; they kicked people out of jobs,” explained an Alawite writer living in coastal Syria. “One way or another, this was going to happen.”

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy