In late November 2024, armed rebel groups launched a massive offensive in Syria, resulting in significant losses for the government troops and forcing ex-President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia. Discussing the aftermath of these events on the “Contours” program on December 8, 2024, Igor Lutsky claimed that some citizens were being forced to leave their country:
“There are reports of vigilante justice and reprisals. Representatives of minorities and religious groups are fleeing. But the roads are blocked, and airports are seized and not functioning.”
While the majority of Syria’s population is Muslim, they belong to two sects — Alawites and Sunnis — that have historically been in conflict. Alawites, including Assad, make up a minority, while Sunnis outnumber them by five to six times. Many Sunnis felt resentment towards Assad because of his brutal crackdown on dissent.
As a result of the ongoing violence and political repression, Syrians have become the largest group of refugees worldwide, with over six million officially registered during the nearly 14-year civil war.
While it is true that some Syrians, including supporters of Bashar al-Assad, are leaving the country, Igor Lutsky conveniently omitted the fact that thousands of people who had previously fled are now returning home from Lebanon and other countries. Arab media outlets and the UN have reported on this development.
Syrian society is deeply divided, including along religious lines. For some, the overthrow of Assad poses a direct threat to their personal safety, while for others, it represents a chance to return home. Highlighting the plight of one group while ignoring the other manipulates the facts.