Fleeing Syria: Shi’ite Refugees Fear Persecution Despite Assurances From New Rulers

Tens of thousands of Syrians, mostly Shi’ite Muslims, have fled to Lebanon in recent days, fearing persecution despite assurances from the new rulers in Syria. The exodus, which began last week, is primarily from minority communities seeking refuge after Sunni Muslim Islamists overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a Lebanese official reported.

The refugees, including many Shi’ites, have described receiving threats via social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook, as well as direct intimidation. Despite promises from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant Sunni faction in Syria, to protect minorities, fears persist regarding sectarian violence. HTS, which has distanced itself from al-Qaeda, is one of several armed groups now vying for control of the country.

Shi’ite communities, historically aligned with Assad’s Alawite regime, were caught at the forefront of Syria’s brutal civil war. Their involvement with regional Shi’ite groups, including Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed militias has heightened tensions with Sunni factions. As the regime fell, many Shi’ites found themselves targeted, with some being forced to flee from Damascus and surrounding areas.

Over 100,000 people, mostly from minority faiths, have crossed into Lebanon since Sunday, with many using informal border crossings. One refugee, Samira Baba, recounted waiting for days with her children at the border, fearful of further escalation. “We know it’s time to leave,” she said, uncertain of who was behind the threats.

Despite these fears, there are some positive accounts, particularly in Syria’s northern regions, where some Shi’ite residents have returned to their homes after HTS secured the area. In Nubl, a town with a significant Shi’ite population, families are hopeful that security measures and restored services will allow for a safer future.

However, many remain cautious about the uncertain future for minorities under the new leadership.