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Assad's loyalists are predominantly from the Alawite community, a minority sect of Shia Islam, which has historically supported the Assad family. Alongside them are other minority groups, including Christians, who find themselves caught in a precarious position as the conflict intensifies. With the rise of extremist factions, including those linked to Al-Qaeda, the situation for these communities becomes increasingly dire. The violence directed toward loyalists and Christians alike often reflects broader sectarian animosities that have plagued the region for generations.