Circassian Community in Syria Safe Amid Power Transition, Says Adyghe Khase

SUKHUM / AQW’A — The transfer of power in Syria is unfolding with relative calm, according to Ramazan Tlemeshok, Vice-President of the International Circassian Association and chairman of the public movement "Adyghe Khase – Circassian Parliament" of the Republic of Adygea.

Following a rapid offensive by opposition forces, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stepped down and fled to Russia, marking the end to his 24-year rule. On 27 November, armed opposition groups launched a coordinated assault on government positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Within days, they captured several key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, and Homs. By 7 December, opposition fighters entered Damascus, forcing Syrian army units to withdraw.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Assad decided to resign after consultations with key stakeholders in the Syrian conflict. The former president has reportedly left the country, issuing instructions for a peaceful transfer of power.

Despite the uncertainty gripping Syria, the Circassian community remains safe, according to Tlemeshok. “I spoke with Shora Ghassan, chairman of the Circassian Charitable Association in Syria. He said that Circassian-populated areas remain relatively calm. Civilians have not been targeted, but there is growing anxiety about what lies ahead,” Tlemeshok explained.

The Circassian population in Syria, once estimated at 130,000 before the civil war began in 2011, has dwindled to around 30,000–35,000. Most of those who remain are concentrated in the capital, Damascus.

State Institutions on the Brink of Collapse

Dr Lisa Issak, a political scientist and international relations expert at Adyghe State University, warned that Syrian state institutions are at risk of collapse unless urgent action is taken.

“The legislative and legal frameworks of Syria will inevitably be reshaped under a new constitution, depending on the nature of the regime that replaces Assad. However, state institutions are currently in a precarious state and face gradual disintegration if swift and decisive measures are not implemented,” she said.

Prime Minister Al-Jalali has urged government ministers to continue their duties and called on public employees to return to work as normal. However, many remain sceptical, particularly with the growing influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an extremist organisation known for its Islamist leanings. 

Amid the chaos, incidents of looting, including the robbery of the Central Bank, and fires in government buildings such as the Immigration and Passport Authority, have raised alarm.

“These developments undermine confidence in the transitional government’s ability to maintain international institutions. Moreover, widespread theft from homes and businesses is eroding citizens’ sense of security and intensifying fears during this fragile period,” Dr Issak noted.

Dr Issak highlighted Syria's complex ethnic, religious, and sectarian composition. The Sunni majority, particularly from the middle and lower classes, largely views Assad’s departure as a victory and is optimistic about the future. However, those affiliated with the former regime, including civil servants, fear reprisals.

“Minority groups are retreating to their respective regions, worried about persecution by extremist groups that could curtail their freedoms. Meanwhile, wealthier individuals and war profiteers are seeking refuge abroad until stability is restored,” she added.

Historical Background

The Circassian community in Syria traces its roots back to 1860, following the Russo-Caucasian War of the 19th century. After their forced displacement from their ancestral lands in the Caucasus, the first Circassians arrived in Syria alongside other groups such as Chechens and Dagestanis. They established settlements in three key areas:

• Damascus and its outskirts, including neighbourhoods like Qudsaya, al-Muhajireen, and the southernmost villages of East Ghouta.
• Aleppo, covering towns such as Manbij and Khanaser.
• The Golan Heights, which initially housed Syria’s largest Circassian population.

The Golan Heights remained a stronghold of Circassian culture until 1967, when the Six-Day War resulted in the Israeli Army’s occupation of the region. The conflict displaced nearly 18,000 Circassians. Many fled to Damascus as internally displaced persons, while others emigrated, particularly to the United States.

Until last week, only two Circassian villages, Bir-Ajam and Breiqa, remained under Syrian control in the Golan Heights. By 2011, these villages had a combined population of around 5,000 and served as a hub for Circassian cultural activities. However, the Syrian Civil War led to significant displacement after 2012, forcing many Circassians to leave their homes.

On 8 December 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had temporarily seized control of the demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, including Bir-Ajam and Breiqa, following the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. Netanyahu stated that the move was necessary to prevent any hostile forces from establishing positions along Israel's border. Residents of five Syrian villages in the buffer zone, including those in Quneitra province, were ordered to stay in their homes until further notice.

This development underscores the ongoing instability of the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau approximately 60 km (40 miles) south-west of Damascus. Israel originally captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and unilaterally annexed it in 1981, a move recognised internationally only by the United States in 2019.

In recent years, numerous Syrian Circassians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Türkiye and Jordan, while others have returned to their ancestral homeland in the Caucasus, specifically to the three Circassian republics within Russia, as well as to Abkhazia. Abkhazia, in particular, has made efforts to support the repatriation of Circassians and Abkhaz/Abaza people from Syria. A "Repatriation Fund," established by the Abkhaz government, has disbursed approximately $1.5 million since 2012. This fund provides financial assistance, housing, education, and other resources to help returnees integrate into Abkhazian society.

On 9 December 2024, the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing situation in Syria, calling for a peaceful resolution that respects the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Highlighting the dangers posed by the prolonged conflict to regional and international security, Abkhazia called on all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from violence, and foster a conducive environment for dialogue and political resolution. The statement concluded with a message of solidarity, wishing peace, progress, and prosperity to the Syrian people during this difficult time.