Sovereignty Support Movement Sovereignty for West Asia
from EREM News, published by The Syrian Observer, May 11, 2025
Founded in Moscow, the party reportedly aims to pave the way for the creation of an autonomous coastal region under the nominal authority of Damascus
A Russian intelligence source has revealed the establishment of the first political party claiming to represent Syria’s Alawite community. Founded in Moscow, the party reportedly aims to pave the way for the creation of an autonomous coastal region under the nominal authority of Damascus.
Speaking to Erem News on condition of anonymity, the source said the party is led by Syrian businessman Rami Makhlouf—the cousin of deposed president Bashar al-Assad. The main objective, he added, is to push for a self-governing coastal zone while maintaining a symbolic link to the central government in Damascus.
The source emphasized that Makhlouf’s appointment as party leader resulted from international consensus rather than a grassroots initiative from within the Alawite community. Many Alawites, he noted, remain sceptical of Makhlouf due to his long-standing ties to the Assad regime and its abuses—despite his repeated attempts to distance himself from the regime since 2019.
According to the same source, several prominent Alawite figures were initially considered by key international stakeholders, including Israel, Russia, the United States, Turkey, and the European Union, before Makhlouf was ultimately chosen.
The move is widely seen as an effort to redraw Syria’s internal map in a manner reminiscent of the pre-state era prior to 1920—but this time under the façade of a unified central state.
As for the timeline, the source confirmed that the initiative has entered its final logistical phase, stating it is “only a matter of time before it comes into effect.”
Calls for autonomy among the Alawite community have grown since the wave of violence and reported abuses in the coastal region in March. The demands mirror similar aspirations voiced by Kurdish populations in Syria’s northeast.
Editor’s note: This is very interesting. “A feint within a feint!” Could it be? Maklouf was not only Bashar Assad’s cousin, but, while rich and powerful before the war, he benefited economically through every phase of the collapse of the state. Among other things, he owned the telecom monopoly in Syria…. and it seems to me that he was also involved with the captagon drug trade in the final stages. There is more to this story, but that is for another day. [jb]
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
