As the country enters a new phase based on fundamentals different from the past, there are growing calls to abandon exclusionary and sectarian rhetoric and work hard to consolidate the values of citizenship and true partnership among Syria's various communities.
Activists and those concerned with public affairs emphasize that continuing to treat social groups based on sectarian affiliation poses a direct threat to the path to national stability.
They warn against generalizations that single out an entire sect, emphasizing that treating the Alawite community as "remnants" only serves to deepen the crisis and deepen the social rift.
"We believe that we have entered a phase of establishing a new state based on justice and equality, and we hope that the media will focus on the ordinary people of the Alawite community, not those who benefited from the old regime, who represent no more than 10% of the sect," says one activist.
He adds, "No one will protect us like our Syrian brothers, but this feeling cannot be built unless everyone is treated equally, and no party can eliminate the other. Coexistence is our only option."
In the same context, sectarian incitement stands out as one of the most significant challenges fueling tension. Residents are demanding an immediate end to this rhetoric, given its direct impact in fueling tension and sowing fear among the population. "This rhetoric creates dangerous tension and must stop completely," says one activist, adding that what is needed today is to enhance security in rural and urban areas, especially after the increase in incidents of theft, arson, and death threats, which have caused great anxiety among residents.
She explains that these incidents have contributed to heightened feelings of fear of the other side, especially in light of the random targeting that does not distinguish between the innocent and the guilty.
The continued arbitrary arrests and unidentified killings are among the most prominent causes of the loss of trust, especially in coastal areas, where kidnappings and killings of people unrelated to any conflict are recorded daily. "Between five and ten people were being killed or kidnapped every day, without knowing who was behind it," one speaker confirmed.
One of the prominent demands being raised by residents today is a genuine and just settlement for the status of former soldiers and officers, without these settlements being merely a trap to arrest or liquidate them under the pretext of "remnants of the regime."
"Those who are settling their status are not involved, and if they were, they would not have taken this step," says a local activist, adding, "We do not reject holding those actually involved accountable, but we reject the liquidation of innocents under this pretext."
Residents are demanding a timetable for granting these individuals civil IDs, which would help calm the streets and rebuild trust.
Many also point out that most soldiers do not want to return to the army, and only a small percentage would accept this, so it is essential to address this issue with flexibility and realism.
One of the most prominent issues that sparked widespread discontent was the government's policy of dismissal from civil service positions during the transitional period, which was considered a hasty and ill-considered decision.
"Civil servants are not at fault, and they should not be held responsible for the practices of the former regime," asserted one participant in the discussion. He added, "Reinstating these employees to their jobs benefits everyone—Sunnis and Alawites—and stimulates the economic cycle and restores social stability."
Others believe that had the government preserved and gradually developed state institutions, it would have been better than adopting a general approach of exclusion after the fall of the former regime.
Residents emphasize the need to stop provocative behavior at security checkpoints within Alawite areas, such as asking people about their sectarian affiliation, as this has a direct negative impact on community security and the social fabric.
Residents also openly speak of a loss of trust in some groups that previously supported the regime. One said, "Even Russia here no longer has any real popularity, and this is the reality as people on the ground see it."
Others point out that Iran's attempts since the 1980s, with the support of Jamil al-Assad, to change the religious identity of the Alawite community have completely failed, reflecting the community's adherence to its local social nature.
A number of coastal residents speak of a lack of trust in certain figures who were active in the previous period or are attempting to play new roles today, most notably Muqdad Fatiha, who is widely suspected of being linked to external parties or pursuing roles that are not conducive to stability. This is in addition to popular rejection of any return of figures from the Assad family or those close to them.
Participants in the community discussion emphasize that President Ahmad al-Sharaa's visit to the coast was a good step, but it needs to be complemented by direct visits to villages and neighborhoods with Alawite majorities to reinforce the message of national confidence and confirm that everyone is a partner in the new homeland.
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