After a coordinated attack in the coastal regions in March that was promptly thwarted by the Syrian government and its allies and culminated in massacres of Alawite civilians, the Alawite insurgency against the government continues to exist but presently at a much lower level. The most familiar brand name for this insurgency is “Quwat Dir‘ al-Sahel” (“Coastal Shield Forces”) with a variety of self-declared contingents operating under this moniker.
But what exactly is this insurgency hoping to achieve? In what sense could this insurgency be seen as ‘pro-Assad’? To explore these issues, I present an interview I conducted recently with an individual going by the name of ‘al-Uqab’, who claims leadership of a group called ‘Saraya al-Uqab’ (‘Squadrons of the Eagle’) and adopts the Coastal Shield moniker.
Q: We see many units bearing the name of ‘Coastal Shield Forces’. What are the aims of these contingents exactly: for example establishing an Alawite state on the coast? Bringing down the new regime in Damascus?
When the previous regime in Syria fell and the revolutionaries entered the coastal region, we welcomed them and we had no problem with anyone.
A: Dear brother, when the previous regime in Syria fell and the revolutionaries entered the coastal region, we welcomed them and we had no problem with anyone. Some time later, they asked for the handover of weapons and for anyone who was in the Syrian army to perform taswiya [regularisation of status], and all did so and handed over their weapons: i.e. they stripped us of weapons. Later, violations against us began (against us Alawites) and they began cursing the sect and engaging in sectarian chauvinism, taking women captive, and engaging in kidnapping, killing, plundering and theft. Then, in so far as there were violations, we decided to rise up against the oppression and hatred and we came out in peaceful demonstrations without any weapons. We were then surprised by their vileness and hatred and they responded to us with weapons and decided to kill anyone who stands against the new regime.
In addition, we are people who must live in peace and we have decided to try by any means to bring about federalism or partition and a state for ourselves so we can live in peace, and we do not wish to harm anyone. The aim of Coastal Shield is to protect the Alawite sect or anyone person who stands against oppression and against terrorism.
Q: In your view what are the main problems with the new regime? What is your position on the previous regime? Sometimes we some sharing photos of Bashar al-Assad but some may say that the Bashar al-Assad was a criminal who oppressed his people, and likewise is the case regarding his intelligence apparatuses. So can you clarify your position on the previous regime?
A: When there was the previous regime, there was no sectarianism, and there was security. But now what is there with this regime? There is nothing besides sectarianism, kidnapping, taking women captive [i.e. to enslave them], plundering and violations. Everything is documented and this new criminal regime is behind all the massacres that happened. In addition, previously this entire regime was with [Jabhat] al-Nusra and the al-Qa‘ida organisation. On what basis has he [al-Sharaa] become president? No one elected him.
Q: Do you expect that Bashar al-Assad will return to Syria to become president again? Do you support this idea? Or is it better for an Alawite state to be established on the coast?
A: Dear brother, the handover that happened was not expected by anyone, and despite all this the revolution lasted 14 years and they couldn’t move a hair of the prior regime. But you had the Russian betrayal and what was going on under the table. Maybe there is something behind it. As for the prospect of Bashar’s return, no one knows in the end: everything is in the hands of the great powers. Don’t forget that President Bashar al-Assad had deals with all the great powers, including China, Iran etc.
Q: If Ahmad al-Sharaa were to agree to the idea of a decentralised, secular and democratic state, would you support this idea and the new regime? In other words, if Ahmad were to agree to this idea, would the Coastal Shield Forces dissolve themselves?
The reason: the massacres that happened, the violations, the blood of our brethren, the detainees, the female captives they have taken. Who will compensate us for them? No one of course.
A: No, oh dear brother, we would not agree. The reason: the massacres that happened, the violations, the blood of our brethren, the detainees, the female captives they have taken. Who will compensate us for them? No one of course. And the blood of the shaykh of the wilaya: Shaykh Sha‘aban. Who will compensate us for him? And Shaykh Saleh Mansur who stood against the oppression and was not content with humiliation and is arrested? Who will get him and the detainees out from the prisons? With regards to the Coastal Shield, it will remain so we can protect the remaining portion of the sect and ensure a safe life, security and stability for the remainder of the sect and the coming generations. And after we secure our life, the Coastal Shield will remain the foundational component in the land to protect the noble ones.
Q: Of course we see that some Israelis speak about the necessity of protecting the Alawites in Syria, as though they want to build an alliance between Israel and the Alawites. What’s your position on this talk, and how do you assess Israel’s role in Syria? In your view, is Israel a state hostile to the Alawite sect’s interests in Syria?
A: Brother, with regards to Israel, everything is in its hands and the hands of America and Russia. We ask all states to make a region of our own for us, where we can live in peace. Of course sir, you know that Israel is trying to take over more than one state. This regime has normalised with Israel and the latter has taken the entire Golan and al-Qunaytra, and even so it will also take al-Suwayda’ and Damascus. Israel is carrying out the plan it wants: the Greater State of Israel from the eastern Euphrates to the Nile.
Q: Finally, what is your message to the international community?
A: We ask the international community to partition the land and establish the coastal region in order to protect the minorities in the Syrian coastal region and stop the killing, the terrorisation and the taking of women as captives. We also ask for the release of the detainees in the new regime’s prisons and for all whose hands have been stained with the blood of our people on the coast to be held accountable.
