Abstract
As the Syrian uprising turned into an armed conflict, Christians in Al-Hasakah faced growing uncertainty. The region became a contested space where the Syrian regime, the Kurdish YPG, Arab tribal militias like the Sanadid Forces, opposition groups such as the FSA, and later extremist organizations like ISIS vied for control. This paper explores the question: “How did the security dilemma faced by the Christian community in Al-Hasakah shape their political and social alignment during the Syrian uprising and civil war?” Drawing on Barry Posen’s adaptation of security dilemma theory, the study examines how the collapse of state authority and the emergence of competing forces created an environment of uncertainty and threat for the Christian minority. Through an analysis of structural factors, such as historical legacies of persecution and displacement; intangible factors, including perceptions of threat and mistrust towards opposition groups; and the role of agency, whereby political actors deliberately provoked fears to consolidate loyalties, this paper argues that the Christians in Al-Hasakah aligned with the Syrian regime as a means of ensuring their security and survival. Using interviews, historical narratives, and reports, the paper highlights how these dynamics perpetuated fear and solidified alliances, ultimately shaping the political behaviour of this minority group amidst a complex and volatile conflict.
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