The Alawites are seen as religious deviants by the Sunni Islamists, and as remnants of the ousted regime, and their position is precarious in post-Assad Syria. During the sectarian bloodbath that unfolded in and around the cities of Latakia and Tartous, Syrian forces reportedly also killed Christians.

Russia wants to see a united and friendly Syria because instability there could affect the whole of the Middle East, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. Clashes between supporters of former president Bashar al-Assad and the country's new Islamist rulers have killed more than 1,

Russia is in contact with other nations regarding Syria's escalating violence, emphasizing the need for unity. The unrest in Syria’s Alawite heartland, along with clashes between Assad's supporters and Islamist rulers,

Russia is co-ordinating with Washington on efforts to end the violence in Syria, Moscow's envoy to the UN said on Monday. Vasily Nebenzya told reporters ahead of a closed-door UN Security Council meeting that Russia had contacted the US to collaborate on the issue.