Alawite Uprising and the Emergence of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria
Executive Summary
A new Alawite insurgency has emerged in Syria, led by the self-declared Military Council for the Liberation of Syria (MCLS), a group composed of former loyalists of Bashar al-Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad. This force, reportedly under the command of ex-Syrian Arab Army 4th Division officer Ghaith Suleiman Dala, has vowed to liberate Syria from Islamist rule, targeting the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-dominated regime of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The uprising has ignited deadly clashes across Syria’s coastal heartland, with fierce battles in Jableh, Latakia, and Tartus. As Alawite militias escalate their fight against HTS forces, fears of sectarian conflict and a broader counter-rebellion threaten to further destabilize the war-ravaged country.
Analysis
The Syrian conflict, once dominated by the struggle between Assad’s forces and opposition rebels, has entered a new and highly volatile phase. The fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 marked a dramatic shift in Syria’s power structure, with HTS insurgents seizing control of Damascus and installing their leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as interim president. This left the Alawite community—the former ruling elite—vulnerable to political exclusion, repression, and potential reprisals.
The formation of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria signals a major shift in the Alawite response to the new Islamist-led government. The council, which declared its objectives in a widely circulated statement, is calling for the complete removal of HTS from power, the dismantling of what it describes as a “sectarian oppressive apparatus,” and the establishment of a sovereign Syrian state. This represents the first serious Alawite-led insurgency against HTS since the regime’s fall.
Key Developments and Clashes
Jableh and Latakia: The Epicenter of the Revolt
Heavy clashes erupted in the Jableh region on March 6, where at least 16 members of Syria’s security forces were killed in attacks by Alawite militias. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these were the most violent confrontations against HTS authorities since Assad’s downfall. Security forces were caught off guard as multiple checkpoints and patrols were ambushed by pro-Assad militias.
Authorities declared a curfew in Tartous as protests and armed clashes spread. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Alawite forces stormed a military college in Essaouida, overpowering HTS units stationed there. Videos circulating on Telegram show rebels raising the Alawite flag over local government buildings.
HTS Response and Growing Sectarian Tensions
HTS, which had promised reconciliation with the Alawite community, now finds itself embroiled in a violent counterinsurgency. The government has accused pro-Assad remnants of orchestrating terrorist attacks and vowed to crush the rebellion. However, the unrest reflects deeper grievances, as Alawites feel increasingly marginalized under the new regime.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged an inclusive government, but no high-profile Alawite figures have been included in power-sharing discussions. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Alawite communities in Damascus and Homs are facing increased harassment and displacement, fueling resentment.
Final Thoughts
The emergence of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria marks a significant turning point in Syria’s ongoing turmoil. With armed Alawite factions now actively fighting HTS, the risk of prolonged sectarian warfare looms large. The next few weeks will be critical as HTS attempts to suppress the uprising, while the Alawite militias seek to expand their insurgency.
