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Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi's Blog

العلويون في الساحل السوري: مقابلة مع ناشط اعلامي من البهلولية

مضت سنة على المجازر في الساحل وأقرباء الشهداء ما زالوا ينتظرون المحاسبة والعدالة، ولكن بعض البلدات العلوية في الساحل نجت من المجازر وما زالت تتميز بعلاقاتها الجيدة مع السلطات الجديدة، ومن أبرز الأمثلة على ذلك: البهلولية في ريف اللاذقية. ماذا يشرح هذا الواقع؟ إليكم مقابلة أجريتها في الفترة الأخيرة مع نشاط اعلامي من البهلولية في ريف اللاذقية من أجل توضيح الحقائق.

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By أيمن جواد التميمي  |  Mon, March 16, 2026 11:42 AM  |  Permalink

Coastal Alawite Perspectives: Interview with a Media Activist

It has been more than a year since the coastal massacres in which large numbers of Alawite civilians were killed by government forces and pro-government militiamen following a coordinated Alawite insurgent attack on government positions in Latakia. As shown in a recent investigative report by the New Arab, the process of real accountability for the massacres has been seriously flawed in both evidence gathering and investigation, while for many survivors of the massacres, the publicised trials seem more for political show and optics.

But not all Alawite experiences on the coast are uniformly bad. Some Alawite localities have enjoyed an overall better relation with the new authorities.

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Fri, March 13, 2026 11:44 AM  |  Permalink

Anti-Hamas Armed Groups in Gaza: The 'Popular Army' in Northern Gaza

[For other interviews in this series, see:

. Interview with Hussam al-Astl.
. Interview with source from Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr.]

Among the Palestinian armed groups that are opposed to Hamas and work with Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, the 'Popular Army' is notable for its presence in the northern part of the Strip. It is led by one Ashraf al-Mansi.

Below is an interview recently conducted with a representative of the 'Popular Army' regarding its history, the background of its leader, the group's relationship with Israel and its outlook on the future of a Palestinian state. The interview is slightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Fri, February 27, 2026 8:50 PM  |  Permalink

Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada's Minor Histories: Addenda and Errata Sheet

The following post is to provide any corrections and addenda to my translation and study of Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada's Minor Histories, recently published by Manchester University Press:

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Sun, January 25, 2026 12:23 PM  |  Permalink

مقابلة حصرية مع "جبهة المقاومة الإسلامية في سوريا: أولي البأس"

تتبنى بعض الجماعات التي تعارض الحكومة السورية الجديدة فكر "المقاومة الإسلامية" فيما ينسجم مع "محور المقاومة" في المنطقة. ومن أبرز هذه الجماعات: "جبهة المقاومة الإسلامية في سوريا: أولي البأس"، وعلى ما يبدو تنقسم إلى فصيلين.

ما هي أهداف هذه الجماعة؟ وكيف تقيم الوضع الحالي في سوريا؟ وإليكم مقابلة مع "أبو مجاهد" وهو يقود الفصيل الذي يدير القنوات الأصلية للجماعة على وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي.

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By أيمن جواد التميمي  |  Tue, January 13, 2026 5:34 PM  |  Permalink

Interview with the "Islamic Resistance Front in Syria: Awali al-Ba's"

As noted previously, among the various entities that have emerged in opposition to the new Syrian government, some espouse an ideology of 'Islamic resistance' in alignment with the broader 'axis of resistance' in the region. The most notable entity along these lines is the 'Islamic Resistance Front in Syria: Awali al-Ba's', which presently appears to be split into two factions, as I have noted.

The interview below was conducted on 5-6 January with 'Abu Mujahid', who leads the faction of the group that controls the original and larger social media channels.

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Tue, January 13, 2026 5:31 PM  |  Permalink

مقابلة حصرية مع فوج الظل

من بين التشكيلات العلوية التي تعارض الحكومة السورية الجديدة، تنتسب بعضها ل"قوات النمر" التي كانت بقيادة سهيل الحسن وأصبحت فيما بعد "الفرقة 25" المدعومة من قبل روسيا. وبحسب تقرير صادر عن وكالة "رويترز"، فإنّ سهيل الحسن يشارك في جهود دعم نشاطات التشكيلات العلوية ضد الحكومة.

ومن أجل نقاش هذه المسائل، إليكم مقابلة أجريتها مع "فوج الظـل" وهو ينتسب لقوات النمر.

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By أيمن جواد التميمي  |  Mon, December 22, 2025 11:48 AM  |  Permalink

The Alawite Insurgency in Syria: Interview with 'Fawj al-Zhall'

Among the various Alawite insurgent groups operating in Syria, some claim affiliation with the 'Tiger Forces' of former Assad regime army general Suhayl al-Husayn. The 'Tiger Forces' subsequently became the Russian-backed 'Division 25', though the division could do little to stem the rapid collapse of the Assad regime last year. Now, according to a recent Reuters report, Suhayl al-Hasan is involved in efforts to support Alawite insurgent activity against the government.

To discuss some of these issues, below is a recent interview with 'Fawj al-Zhall' ('Regiment of the Shadow'), which claims affiliation with the 'Tiger Forces.' Any parenthetical insertions in square brackets are my own.

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Mon, December 22, 2025 11:41 AM  |  Permalink

مقابلة مع قائد "سرايا البحر" التابعة لدرع الساحل

من بين التشكيلات العلوية التي تعارض الحكومة السورية الجديدة، يبقى درع الساحل الرمز الأبرز، وهو يضم عدة مجموعات منها "سرايا البحر" بقيادة "أبو القاسم" الذي خدم في الجيش السوري السابق وقاتل على جبهات إدلب خلال انهيار نظام الأسد. وإليكم مقابلة أجريتها معه حول انهيار النظام السابق وأهداف التشكيلات العلوية وعلاقاتها مع شخصيات من النظام السابق والجهات الخارجية، والمحاكمات الجارية بشأن المجازر في الساحل.

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By أيمن جواد التميمي  |  Sat, December 13, 2025 12:55 PM  |  Permalink

The Alawite Insurgency in Syria: Interview with a Figure in 'Coastal Shield'

Among the various Alawite insurgent groups that oppose the Syrian government, 'Coastal Shield' still remains the most prominent brand. There has also been some interesting recent reporting from Reuters about the issue of ties between the Alawite insurgency and former regime figures in exile, such as Rami Makhlouf, Suhayl al-Hasan and Maher al-Assad.

The following interview was conducted with a figure in 'Coastal Shield'- Abu al-Qasim- who previously served in the Syrian army, fighting on the Idlib front as the Assad regime collapsed. Topics discussed include the collapse of the former regime a year ago, the aims of the current Alawite insurgency, the question of ties to former regime figures and external actors, and the ongoing trial process held by the government in relation to the coastal massacres.

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By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi  |  Sat, December 13, 2025 12:54 PM  |  Permalink

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