In the chill of an afternoon in Latakia, Noor stands trembling—not from the cold but from an overwhelming sense of dread. Wrapped in a thick winter coat, she approaches the armed men of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now the new rulers of this Syrian city, to voice her complaints. Three days earlier, her family's apartment was invaded by armed men in a black van, who forcibly ousted her, her children, and her army officer husband while they were in their nightclothes. The invaders then moved their own family into her home.
Noor, whose name is a pseudonym, belongs to the Alawite sect from which the Assad family draws its roots. Once influential as the regime’s elite, the Alawites now feel a chilling sense of vulnerability in their heartland of Latakia, situated on Syria's north-west Mediterranean coast. The lingering power void left by fleeing regime soldiers has attracted a plethora of rebel factions, leading to an unsettling atmosphere for those who supported the Assad government.
She shows HTS general security commander, Abu Ayoub, CCTV footage that captures her family's harrowing experience. The armed group at her door, as she explains, is not HTS but another rebel faction from Aleppo. With ten men at her doorstep and sixteen more lurking in the shadows, she recounts how her family's possessions were tossed onto the street, invoking a wave of fear and sadness.
The HTS, previously linked to al-Qaeda and still labeled a terrorist group by numerous Western nations, has transitioned from being adversaries to enforcers of law and order in Latakia in just a matter of weeks. Abu Ayoub and his forces express their intent to rectify Noor's situation and reclaim her evicted home, yet the specter of their past alliances looms large.
Noor is one of many who have turned to HTS for help. The previous military intelligence headquarters, a once-feared site, is now rife with complaints ranging from home invasions to assaults, showcasing the disorder that prevails amidst change. Another complainant, sporting visible injuries, pleads for justice after armed men broke into his home, stole valuables, and threatened his family, underscoring the chaotic aftermath following the regime's collapse.
Their operations are marked by tension and danger, responding to various grievances amidst concerns over intergroup violence. HTS security officers are diligent yet braced for potential confrontation as they confront suspected criminals in poorer neighborhoods.
Despite the celebration of freedom in the streets of Latakia, the Alawite community is still hesitant to embrace the new status quo. Many remain confined to their homes, fearing repercussions for past allegiances, while others exhibit defiance against the new power brokers. The atmosphere is heavy as they witness HTS combatants parading through their streets, where the lingering loyalty to the old regime fosters distrust.
After several hours of searching, HTS enters Noor’s former apartment, confronting the new occupants and recovering some of her belongings. Though grateful for their efforts, Noor is left with deep-seated fears and uncertainty about her family's future. While HTS asserts their commitment to maintaining peace and protecting all sects, many Alawites sense a foreboding shift has begun.
“I hope for a better future," Noor reflects, clutching her meager possessions. "But for now, the nightmare is far from over."
