Fearing Islamist rule, thousands of Syrian minorities flee

BEIRUT,— Tens of thousands of Syrians, many from the Shi’ite Muslim minority, have fled to neighboring Lebanon in recent days, seeking refuge from fears of persecution following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, according to Lebanese officials, Reuters reported.

A senior Lebanese security source said that over 100,000 people, primarily from minority faiths, have crossed into Lebanon since Sunday. Many used illegal crossing points along the porous border, making it difficult to provide an exact number.

This surge in refugees comes as Syrian Islamists, led by the Sunni Salafi militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as al-Nusra Front, have assumed control over much of Syria. Despite assurances from HTS that all Syrians, including Shi’ites, will be safe, many remain deeply fearful.

At the border crossing, thousands of Syrians waited to flee the country. One Shi’ite woman, Samira Baba, explained that she and her children had been waiting for three days to cross into Lebanon.

“We don’t know who is sending these threats—whether it’s the rebels or other groups—but we know it’s time to leave,” Baba said, referring to threats received through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.

Shi’ites have been a significant part of the conflict in Syria, which has now stretched into its 13th year. Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, relied heavily on Shi’ite allies like Hezbollah from Lebanon to fight against Sunni-led opposition forces.

Many Shi’ites in Syria, who make up about 10 percent of the population, fear for their lives as they find themselves caught in the ongoing sectarian violence.

HTS, which has distanced itself from al-Qaeda, emerged as the most powerful group among the various Islamist factions fighting in Syria. However, the group is just one among many armed factions in the region. Despite claims from HTS leaders, many Shi’ites remain wary of returning to their homes.

Ayham Hamada, a 39-year-old Shi’ite man, recounted how he and his brother, both former soldiers under Assad, fled to Damascus after the regime’s downfall. He said they received threats without knowing who was responsible. “We fear sectarian violence and feel as though we are being hunted,” Hamada told Reuters.

Many refugees at the border hailed from Sayyeda Zeinab, a district in Damascus known for housing a revered Shi’ite shrine and where Hezbollah and other Shi’ite militias have operated.

These militias, supported by Iran, recruited fighters from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Elham, a 30-year-old nurse, spoke of her harrowing journey to the border. “We left everything behind,” she said, describing how armed men raided her home, looted her belongings, and forced her to flee with her family at gunpoint.

HTS has not responded to requests for comment on the threats faced by minorities, but their assurances of safety seem insufficient for many Syrians who remain in fear.

In some parts of northern Syria, however, the situation appears more stable. After HTS launched an offensive in late November, some residents who had fled are now confident enough to return.

Hussein Al-Saman, a Shi’ite father of three from Nubl, a town once controlled by Hezbollah, shared his hopes for the future. “We are all one people. I hope for my children to live comfortably under the new government,” Al-Saman said, praising HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa for his efforts to protect minorities.

Bassam Abdulwahab, an official overseeing the return of refugees, echoed this sentiment, saying that essential services and security have been restored in parts of northern Syria. “The minorities are protected,” Abdulwahab said, adding that the leadership views the protection of minorities as a top priority.

Despite the progress in some areas, there are still many uncertainties. In Nubl, the local community works to repair homes and businesses damaged during the war. However, one man, who asked not to be named, expressed caution. “The new leadership is Sunni and we are Shiite. What happens next is unclear,” he said.

As the situation remains volatile, the future of Syria’s minorities remains unclear, with many fearing that sectarian tensions could persist despite claims of a new era of peace.

(With files from Reuters)