"Syria’s Transition Is Driving Its Minorities Out"
- ADFA
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
At ADFA, we stand with Syria's diverse communities and work to amplify the voices that are too often ignored. That's why we contributed to the investigative work of Daniel Allott (former opinion editor at The Hill and author of On the Road in Trump’s America) and Jordan Allott (filmmaker, photographer, and founder of In Altum Productions). Their powerful Newsweek opinion piece, "Syria’s Transition Is Driving Its Minorities Out," reveals the difficult reality fourteen months after Bashar al-Assad's fall.
We believe it's essential to tell the unfiltered truth behind international meetings, diplomatic promises, and trade agreements. Too often, these discussions overlook the lived experiences of ordinary Syrians.
We hope for a Syria that belongs to all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity and religion, and where every person feels safe at home.
Key points from their article:
Fourteen months after Assad's fall, the expected return of refugees and rebuilding has instead been met with a quiet but steady exodus of minorities, Alawites, Druze, Christians, and others. Based on direct interviews, the authors argue this is the clearest judgment on the transition so far: security remains fragile, and leaving often feels like the only prudent choice.
Alawites: Reports of kidnappings, disappearances, and violence; one family’s 13-year-old son was held for weeks and forced to renounce his identity. Reuters documented nearly 1,500 Alawites killed in coastal unrest.
Druze (especially in Sweida): Threats and deadly clashes; one civil engineer now says, “I don’t call myself Syrian anymore.”
Christians: Caught between accusations of betrayal and direct attacks (including a jihadist bombing of Mar Elias church in Damascus that killed 30 worshippers). The Christian population has dropped by ~80% since 2011.
Even many Sunnis express uncertainty under the current authorities, despite official promises of protection for all.
We believe in the possibility of real change. We call on world leaders to keep pressing the current Syrian authorities to move toward a new constitution that guarantees equal rights and protections for every Syrian, regardless of background.
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