The Alawite Insurgency in Syria: Interview with a Figure in 'Coastal Shield'

Among the various Alawite insurgent groups that oppose the Syrian government, ‘Coastal Shield’ still remains the most prominent brand. There has also been some interesting recent reporting from Reuters about the issue of ties between the Alawite insurgency and former regime figures in exile, such as Rami Makhlouf, Suhayl al-Hasan and Maher al-Assad.

The following interview was conducted with a figure in ‘Coastal Shield’- Abu al-Qasim- who previously served in the Syrian army, fighting on the Idlib front as the Assad regime collapsed. Topics discussed include the collapse of the former regime a year ago, the aims of the current Alawite insurgency, the question of ties to former regime figures and external actors, and the ongoing trial process held by the government in relation to the coastal massacres.

Q: Can you describe what happened in Idlib exactly during the days of the fall and why did the government’s forces collapse rapidly?