Sunni Activist from Latakia Reflects on March 6

In early May I met with several Sunni and Christian activists in Latakia city to discuss conditions in the city and inter-communal dialogue efforts following the March 6 coastal massacres. I had met several of these people during my trip in February, and at that time all of us were worried about an imminent attack by ex-regime elements which could be used as an excuse for widespread anti-Alawite massacres. As the interviewee quoted below references, many of the underlying problems we discussed in February are still present today.

Here, I share the thoughts of one Sunni activist who has been engaged in inter-communal dialogue efforts since January. These first began with inter-neighborhood initiatives, but after March 6 he began a new program in some of the Alawite villages in the countryside. He also serves as a member of the Engineers Syndicate in the city and was a former university professor until being fired by the regime after refusing to join the Baath Party.

Abdul’s interview provides a useful insight into how some Sunni activists view the massacre and the government’s role in it and their approach to dialogue.