Syrian Alawite Leader Warns: Any Attack on Us Will Not Go Unanswered
Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal demands political federalism, release of detainees, and protection for Alawite communities amid escalating sectarian tensions
Syria, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria, issued a forceful warning on Thursday, declaring that any assault on the Alawite community “will not go unanswered,” as mass protests across Alawite-majority regions continue for a second week.
Ghazal affirmed that the community’s demands are clear and non-negotiable: political federalism, decentralization, an end to killings, and the release of thousands of civilian and military detainees.
“We seek only what is right and nothing else,” he said, stressing that Alawites will not accept a future ruled by an extremist, centralized Islamic emirate.
Alawite Leader: The ‘Spark of a Fire That Will Not Be Extinguished’
Referring to the violent suppression of demonstrations in several Syrian cities this week, Sheikh Ghazal said the events were not isolated but marked “the spark of a fire that will not be extinguished and the end of an era of silence and submission.”
He added that any attack on Alawites “will be met with a flood and bare chests,” underscoring the community’s readiness to defend itself amid deepening unrest.
Background: Rising Sectarian Attacks After the Fall of the Regime
Since the collapse of the Assad regime, minorities across Syria have faced severe sectarian violence:
Alawites on the Syrian coast suffered mass killings in March.
Druze communities in Sweida experienced violent assaults in June.
The latest tension escalated when the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported injuries among protesters due to security force crackdowns in Homs, Hama, and coastal regions.
Protests Spread Across Alawite Regions
Large-scale demonstrations have erupted along the Syrian coast and central provinces — particularly Latakia, Tartus, and Homs — after repeated attacks on Alawite neighborhoods, abductions, and widespread discrimination.
Sheikh Ghazal had earlier called for peaceful sit-ins to demand:
Political decentralization
Release of detainees
An end to killings and humiliation targeting Alawites
However, confrontations between demonstrators and pro-government counter-protesters escalated tensions. Security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse crowds in Latakia, with at least one protester wounded.
Gunfire from unidentified sources further heightened fear among civilians.
Communities Feeling Abandoned
Alawite communities in Homs and surrounding towns report feeling abandoned and exposed to:
Arbitrary detentions
Targeted violence
Heightened sectarian threats
Residents say the state has failed to protect them, fueling anger and reinforcing calls for structural political change. The current wave of protests reflects a broader demand for security, dignity, and federal political reforms in what many describe as Syria’s emerging post-regime landscape. (PW)