In the wake of the tumultuous regime change in Syria, the city of Latakia—a stronghold for the Alawite community—finds itself navigating a landscape of fear and uncertainty. Noor, a resident of an upscale neighborhood, recently became a victim of this new order when armed men forcibly took over her home in the dead of night. A trembling figure, she recounted her harrowing experience to members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the new ruling group in the area.
HTS has emerged as the primary authority following the swift collapse of the Assad regime, which ruled Syria under an iron fist for decades. For many Alawites, who comprise around 10% of Syria's population, the transition creates a chilling sense of vulnerability. Noor, whose real name is withheld for safety, recalls the moment when militants stormed her apartment, forcibly evicting her and her family as they claimed her home for themselves.
Latakia, located along Syria’s north-west Mediterranean coast, is predominantly Alawite and has long been associated with the Assad family. The power vacuum left by the fleeing regime has attracted various armed groups eager to exert control, and the HTS, despite its ties to jihadist factions and a history of violent opposition to the state, now pledges to foster unity across sectarian lines.
The streets of Latakia, once loyal to Assad, are now filled with suspicion and apprehension. Many residents rarely leave their homes, fearing retribution or a reckoning for their previous allegiances. Noor, alongside others, has turned to HTS for justice, but as she enters their makeshift security station—previously a feared military intelligence hub—her hope mixes with dread.
As HTS operatives listen to distressing reports of violence and theft from civilians, the harsh reality of their new role as peacekeepers sets in. Abu Ayoub, the HTS general security commander, acknowledges the chaotic situation but assures Noor that they will investigate. With a promise to evict the armed intruders from her apartment, he represents a duality of hope and threat: a potential path for justice within a tumultuous revolution.
As reports of brutality from groups claiming the mantle of revolution emerge, the community's trust in HTS is tenuous, and many remain guarded. Celebrations following the recent downfall of the Assad regime resonate through the city, with the vibrancy of a new Syrian flag unfurling in public places. However, the streets of Alawite neighborhoods remain quieter, as mistrust lingers like a shadow.
HTS's recent commitments to protect minority communities and sustain order have produced mixed reactions. Many residents, particularly those formerly affiliated with the regime, are left to navigate this uncharted territory, grappling with complex identities in a society proliferated by decades of sectarian strife.
On a recent operation in response to complaints from victims of armed robberies and assaults, HTS forces forcibly removed suspect squatters from Noor’s home. The hope for a safer future ebbs and flows among the Alawite residents, many of whom now cling to their past memories while viewing the looming presence of HTS with a blend of relief and fear.
As Noor packs the remnants of her life into bags, she reflects on her shattered sense of security within the walls that once felt like home. With the regression of one nightmare begins another in the continued struggle for peace and acceptance under a new regime, leaving many residents like Noor uncertain about what lies ahead.
HTS has emerged as the primary authority following the swift collapse of the Assad regime, which ruled Syria under an iron fist for decades. For many Alawites, who comprise around 10% of Syria's population, the transition creates a chilling sense of vulnerability. Noor, whose real name is withheld for safety, recalls the moment when militants stormed her apartment, forcibly evicting her and her family as they claimed her home for themselves.
Latakia, located along Syria’s north-west Mediterranean coast, is predominantly Alawite and has long been associated with the Assad family. The power vacuum left by the fleeing regime has attracted various armed groups eager to exert control, and the HTS, despite its ties to jihadist factions and a history of violent opposition to the state, now pledges to foster unity across sectarian lines.
The streets of Latakia, once loyal to Assad, are now filled with suspicion and apprehension. Many residents rarely leave their homes, fearing retribution or a reckoning for their previous allegiances. Noor, alongside others, has turned to HTS for justice, but as she enters their makeshift security station—previously a feared military intelligence hub—her hope mixes with dread.
As HTS operatives listen to distressing reports of violence and theft from civilians, the harsh reality of their new role as peacekeepers sets in. Abu Ayoub, the HTS general security commander, acknowledges the chaotic situation but assures Noor that they will investigate. With a promise to evict the armed intruders from her apartment, he represents a duality of hope and threat: a potential path for justice within a tumultuous revolution.
As reports of brutality from groups claiming the mantle of revolution emerge, the community's trust in HTS is tenuous, and many remain guarded. Celebrations following the recent downfall of the Assad regime resonate through the city, with the vibrancy of a new Syrian flag unfurling in public places. However, the streets of Alawite neighborhoods remain quieter, as mistrust lingers like a shadow.
HTS's recent commitments to protect minority communities and sustain order have produced mixed reactions. Many residents, particularly those formerly affiliated with the regime, are left to navigate this uncharted territory, grappling with complex identities in a society proliferated by decades of sectarian strife.
On a recent operation in response to complaints from victims of armed robberies and assaults, HTS forces forcibly removed suspect squatters from Noor’s home. The hope for a safer future ebbs and flows among the Alawite residents, many of whom now cling to their past memories while viewing the looming presence of HTS with a blend of relief and fear.
As Noor packs the remnants of her life into bags, she reflects on her shattered sense of security within the walls that once felt like home. With the regression of one nightmare begins another in the continued struggle for peace and acceptance under a new regime, leaving many residents like Noor uncertain about what lies ahead.
