Who are the Shabiha in Syria?
| Shabiha | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Fawaz al-Assad Mundhir al-Assad Numeir al-Assad Zaino Berri (Aleppo leader) Ayman Jaber (Latakia leader) Mohammed al-Assad † (Qardaha leader) |
| Dates of operation | 1980s – 2012 |
| Allegiance | Syria |
| Group(s) | Mohammed al-Assad’s group Berri clan militias |
What is the main reason for Syrian conflict?
The war started in 2011, when Syrians enraged by corruption and emboldened by a wave of “Arab Spring” protests across the region took to the streets to demand democratic accountability for their leaders.
Is Syria sectarian?
The Syrian Civil War is an intensely sectarian conflict. However, Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the Syrian Arab Army and many hold high governmental positions, while Alawites and members of almost every minority have also been active on the rebel side.
How many Alawites are there in the world?
At the core of Alawite belief is a divine triad, comprising three aspects of the one God. These aspects, or emanations, appear cyclically in human form throughout history….Alawites.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Ibn Nuṣayr and Al-Khaṣībī | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Syria | Less than 3 million |
| Turkey | 500,000-1 million |
Who are the shabiha in the Syrian government?
The Syrian opposition stated that the shabiha are a tool of the government for cracking down on dissent. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has stated that some of the shabiha are mercenaries.
What does Shabiha stand for in Arabic dictionary?
Shabiha ( Levantine Arabic: شَبِّيحَة Šabbīḥa, pronounced [ʃabˈbiːħa]; also romanized Shabeeha or Shabbiha’; (meaning “ghosts”) is a term for state sponsored militias of the Syrian government.
When did the Shabiha militias come to power?
In 2000, when Bashar Assad came to power, they were apparently disbanded, but following the uprising that began in March 2011, the shabiha gangs, which evolved into the shabiha militias, were again approved by Assad’s government.
When did Shabiha admit to looting and murder?
In July 2012, a captured alleged shabiha member admitted looting and murder, stating that it was for “money and power”.