Who Are the Alawites?
Ethnic & Religious Identity:
Alawites are a sect of Shia Islam, primarily found in Syria, where they make up roughly 10–15% of the population.
Their beliefs differ significantly from mainstream Shia and Sunni Islam. They incorporate elements of Gnosticism, Christianity, Neoplatonism, and Islamic mysticism.
Traditionally, they have been seen by both Sunnis and mainstream Shia as heretical due to their secretive and syncretic religious practices.
Geographic Concentration:
They are mostly concentrated in the coastal mountain regions of Syria, particularly around Latakia and Tartus.

How Are They Related to the al-Assad Family?
Al-Assad's Background:
The Assad family, including Hafez al-Assad (President from 1971 to 2000) and his son Bashar al-Assad (current president), are Alawites.
Rise to Power:
Under French colonial rule (1920s–1940s), Alawites were overrepresented in the military due to marginalization in civilian sectors.
After Syria’s independence, many Alawites remained in the military, which became a pathway to power.
Hafez al-Assad, an air force officer, seized power in a 1970 coup and consolidated control by placing fellow Alawites in top military and intelligence positions, creating an Alawite-dominated elite.

Why Are They Hated?
Religious Tensions:
Most of Syria is Sunni Muslim, and many Sunnis view Alawites as heretics or non-Muslims.
Their perceived deviation from Islamic orthodoxy fuels sectarian hostility.
Political Power and Oppression:
The Assad regime is authoritarian, known for brutal repression, torture, and corruption.
Because the Assads and many top officials are Alawite, many Syrians associate Alawites with the regime's violence, especially during the Syrian Civil War (since 2011).
Civil War Fallout:
During the war, Assad's forces (backed by Iran and Russia) committed mass atrocities, mostly against Sunni populations, further deepening sectarian resentment.
Some opposition groups see the conflict not just as political, but as a sectarian war between Sunnis and Alawites.