Among the Alawite insurgent groups that do not use the moniker of ‘Coastal Shield’, ‘The Men of Light’ (Rijal al-Nur), also known as ‘Saraya al-Jawad’, is one of the most prominent. The group has claimed some low-scale insurgent attacks against the new Syrian government’s forces.
As with the other Alawite insurgent groups, it is important for observers to try to understand what these groups are trying to achieve and what their outlook on Syria is. I managed to reach out to the leader of ‘The Men of Light’ and interview him. Below is the interview.
Q: When was the Men of Light formed and what were the reasons for its formation?
It was necessary to think of a way of deterring these internationally designated terrorist criminals and save the remnants of the Alawite sect’s people from the ongoing genocide.
A: The Men of Light—Saraya al-Jawad was formed after the end of the massacres on the coast that took place in the period 7-9 March. Its formation was a natural response to the massacres and violations that befell us and were unprecedented in our modern history. It is true that that the UN Security Council met following these massacres, but the Arab and international media did not give sufficient media coverage of these events, but rather we were slaughtered amid shameful international silence with only rare exceptions. Some may believe that the massacres took place amid clashes between two sides or during battles, but this is wrong, because all the massacres that were committed targeted innocent civilians: children, women and elderly present inside their homes. The government’s forces were unable to kill any of the fighters on the coast, whose numbers did not exceed the hundreds, as the investigative committee set up by al-Jowlani admitted.
So after the hundreds of massacres committed, the thousands of innocents killed and the violation of the sanctity of homes and the stealing of homes, cars and wealth, the burning of property and other barbaric deeds, and the systematic continuation of the massacres, it was necessary to think of a way of deterring these internationally designated terrorist criminals and save the remnants of the Alawite sect’s people from the ongoing genocide. This is among the most important reasons for the formation of ‘The Men of Light- Saraya al-Jawad.’
Q: What are the aims of the Men of Light? For example establishing an Alawite state or region on the coast or bringing down Jowlani’s government in its entirety?
A: The first aim is to confront these terrorist groups represented in Jowlani and his authority. If they maintain their presence on the coast, we affirm the right of the Alawite community to establish an independent region that ensures the protection of civilians, their dignity and their lives. One cannot co-exist with those who have committed massacres and violations against our people and their right to security, and the protection of the community’s life and rights must be the utmost priority. It is impossible to live with these terrorists. Can you live with those who have killed your people, violated your honour, and stolen your livelihood? This is impossible.
Q: What’s your position on the prior regime? For example do you think it is possible to bring back Bashar al-Assad to his position? Or rather the regime won’t return and the Alawite formations must focus on establishing a federal system? If so, why raise the Syrian flag from the days of Bashar al-Assad’s government?
A: The previous regime was filled with corruption and oppression. We were the first to be oppressed by it, and we still are after its fall since our people lack even a bundle of bread, and we never saw any help from it. Therefore, we hope for a regime that fears God and works to serve the homeland and citizen. In the time of al-Jowlani’s gangs, there is also oppression, corruption, killing and sectarianism, because his government and army are of one colour. There are not Alawites, Christians, Druze, Kurds, Ismailis or Shia, and even the moderate Sunnis are excluded from his government. In contrast, the previous regime and its army included all sects and put them in high positions in the civil and military institutions. Thus, we consider that the prior regime and its government are 1000 times better than these gangs. Security, safety and a living are sufficient.
As for the old flag, it is not the property of the former regime. Rather, it is the flag of Syria and its people, because thousands of martyrs from 2011 until 2024 were buried while being wrapped in this flag. Therefore, the flag has a special symbolism and sanctity and we will not replace it with the flag of terrorism.
We consider that the prior regime and its government are 1000 times better than these gangs. Security, safety and a living are sufficient.
Q: There is a lot of talk about support from Hezbollah or Iran for the Alawite formations that fight the Jowlani government. What is your comment on that? Likewise what is your position on the idea of Russian support for your project?
A: On the ground of the coastal region, we have not seen any groups supported by Iran or Hezbollah. The fact is that there is no support at all from Hezbollah or Iran for us. Rather, on the complete contrary, Iran did not even condemn the massacres against our Alawite people on the coast. Thus our position towards Iran is negative, though we respect the Shia sect. As for the notion of Russian support, there is none at all, and we say frankly: we will accept support from any party so long as the aim of this support is to save what can be saved of the Alawite sect and free the region from Daeshi [Islamic State] and al-Nusra terrorism embodied in Jowlani and his gang. This support should not be conditioned on any project, aim or goal besides protecting the Alawite sect. For the people of the Alawite sect are not prepared to wind the clock back or get involved in fantasy causes and projects that strive to achieve the interests of states at the expense of the interests of the poor people among the Alawite sect. The Alawite cause will remain the highest and sole cause that the sect’s people uphold.
Q: Some may say that publishing statements or videos of the Men of Light’s operations harms the group. So what is the aim of publishing statements or videos?
A: Targeting others is not part of the culture and religion of the Alawite sect, nor is incitement to hatred, violence or killing. On the contrary, the essence of the Alawite creed is based on affection, peace and equality between all religions and ethnicities, and history attests to that through the relation that the Alawite sect’s people have had with other groups like the Christians and others besides them.
The only aim of publishing statements or videos is to deter the terrorist gangs from targeting us and attacking our beliefs, and prevent them from doing anything against us that is forbidden in religious and secular law. For we find ourselves today to be the first line of defence in confronting terrorism that will come upon multiple states in the world, especially neighbouring states and Mediterranean states. We very much hope to bring about a federal system and establish our independent region that will guarantee the rights of all Syrian sects without shedding a single drop of blood.
Q: What is your position on Alawites who work with the Jowlani government? Are they traitors who deserve death? Likewise some say that the killing of some Alawites in Syria is a reflection of execution of those who collaborate with the Jowlani government. Is this true?
A: We affirm that some individual Alawites who work with these gangs are considered to be among the traitors, but our path is not based on violence or killing, and our religion does not allow us to engage in these sorts of actions. We stick to keeping away from these individuals and not dealing with them, though we monitor them in order to ensure protection of civil society from their evil. We also affirm that divine justice will be realised and they will be punished for what they have done. We also clarify that claims of liquidation of any members of the Alawite community do not reflect our position. The circulated reports are likely fabricated by the parties responsible for the violence. Our religion and values are based on affection, peace and justice, not revenge or inflicting harm.
Q: Is it possible to co-exist with the Jowlani government if it withdraws all its forces from the coastal region for example? Likewise is it possible to co-exist with the Sunnis in the coastal region?
We would also like to note that there are large numbers of our noble Sunni brothers and Christians within our resistance, for they reject the rule of Jowlani [al-Sharaa] and his Daeshi [Islamic State] gangs, and they fight with us and are our brothers.
A: It is not possible to co-exist with those involved in committing massacres and violations against Syrian civilians in general and the Alawite community in particular. As for the rest of the Sunni community’s members, we affirm that we harbour no enmity towards them, and we stick to behaving in accordance with truth and justice. The responsibility lies with those who have committed crimes, and the innocents are not to be held responsible for the acts of criminals. Our enmity is solely directed at those whose hands are stained with our blood, while the rest of the society is considered partners in the homeland and brotherhood. We would also like to note that there are large numbers of our noble Sunni brothers and Christians within our resistance, for they reject the rule of Jowlani and his Daeshi gangs, and they fight with us and are our brothers.
Q: Finally what’s your message to the international community?
A: Our message is simple: provide security, safety and a dignified life for the citizens, and protect the oppressed civilians and hold accountable those responsib le for the violations, massacres, kidnap and rape.
We call for an Alawite region independent of Jowlani and his gangs and under the international community’s protection. We hope the works will be translated into practical measures to protect human rights and dignity. We are also surprised how the international community has dealt with a globally designated terrorist who has killed thousands of civilians in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, and was wanted for the largest financial rewards, and is today allowed to move freely and engage in his activities in international institutions.
Published originally on November 12, 2025.
