"In Syria, a visit here makes clear there is still a sizeable — and perhaps decisive — part of the Syrian population that supports, or at least doesn’t resist, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule, although the opposition often gets more media attention.
Some worry about losing jobs, patronage or connections if the Assad regime survives, or even hangs on for a while. Some dread the Iraq scenario: sectarian bloodletting and chaos.
Others fear what might come after Assad: a change in the balance of power between the United States and Iran; a foreign-backed carving up of Syria; and they fear an extremist Sunni Muslim government bent on ridding the country of its Christian and Druze minorities, and a campaign of killing and/or forced relocation of Assad’s Alawite brethren.
“As a Druze, I am frightened that if the authorities in Damascus were toppled the Muslim Brotherhood will take over the country and minorities won't feel safe anymore,” said Firas Adnan, a 29-year-old engineer from the Damascus neighborhood of Jaramana. “It is very important for us that a secular regime governs Syria to avoid the oppression of minorities.”
“As for the the Free Syrian Army (FSA), I see them as a group of extremists who have no agenda except for toppling the regime and taking over power,” Adnan continued." (thanks Sultan)
Some worry about losing jobs, patronage or connections if the Assad regime survives, or even hangs on for a while. Some dread the Iraq scenario: sectarian bloodletting and chaos.
Others fear what might come after Assad: a change in the balance of power between the United States and Iran; a foreign-backed carving up of Syria; and they fear an extremist Sunni Muslim government bent on ridding the country of its Christian and Druze minorities, and a campaign of killing and/or forced relocation of Assad’s Alawite brethren.
“As a Druze, I am frightened that if the authorities in Damascus were toppled the Muslim Brotherhood will take over the country and minorities won't feel safe anymore,” said Firas Adnan, a 29-year-old engineer from the Damascus neighborhood of Jaramana. “It is very important for us that a secular regime governs Syria to avoid the oppression of minorities.”
“As for the the Free Syrian Army (FSA), I see them as a group of extremists who have no agenda except for toppling the regime and taking over power,” Adnan continued." (thanks Sultan)
