In times of conflict, crises, or political instability, religious minorities often face heightened risks, including attacks, harassment, oppression, and discrimination. In today's digital age, these vulnerable communities are increasingly targeted not only through direct violence but also by the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. Such false narratives not only exacerbate their challenges and amplify existing tensions but also have the potential to tarnish these communities’ reputations, further isolating them and fueling societal prejudice.
In the current context of Syria, after Bashar al-Assad's departure, conflicts between religious sects have surged, creating an atmosphere of heightened tension and division. As a result, falsehoods targeting religious minorities and communities have surfaced online, amplifying sectarian strife.
Several claims surfaced after thousands of people protested on December 25, 2024, in several Syrian cities following the circulation of a video allegedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine in the north.
However, media outlets soon confirmed that the video was “old” and that the attack had been carried out by “unknown groups.” Authorities warned that the republishing of the footage was designed to “stir up strife,” particularly after violent protests had erupted in Damascus over the torching of a Christmas tree.
Moreover, Syria's new ruling forces claimed that supporters of the ousted Assad regime had ambushed and killed 14 Interior Ministry troops near Tartous, a stronghold of the Alawite sect while injuring ten others. Demonstrations in Alawite-majority cities such as Tartous, Latakia, and Qardaha accompanied these events.
The Alawite community, a sect with roots in Shia Islam, is now facing increasing fear and retribution, as many members are seen as complicit in the regime’s brutal actions, including widespread torture and killings. In this volatile environment, the spread of misinformation has exacerbated fears, deepened sectarian divisions, and further complicated the prospects for reconciliation. Misbar has actively investigated and debunked some of these false claims, shedding light on the dangers of misinformation in such an unstable context.
Disinformation Deepens Social Divisions and Perpetuates Stereotypes in Syria
In an exclusive interview with Misbar, Yassine Bouchouar, a researcher in political communication and sociology of religious transformations, explained that the cultural and historical memory of societies plays a crucial role in managing emerging conflicts, particularly in overcoming the memory of past pains, which often serve as one of the most catalyzing factors for such conflicts. He emphasized that “the more a society is reconciled with its history, the less vulnerable its social groups are to being targeted.”
However, in societies where institutions are weak and the burden of a painful history remains unresolved, fake news tends to be more widespread, particularly targeting these vulnerable groups. Bouchouar pointed out that the persistence of stereotypes in cultural discourse—whether religious, cultural, or ethnic—exacerbates the impact of misinformation. He explained that fake news creates a fertile ground for reinforcing these stereotypes, “ultimately dividing society into two parts: one dominant and superior, and the other inferior and marginalized.”
Bouchouar stressed that social media plays a crucial role in the dissemination of falsehoods about religious minorities. These platforms offer an ideal environment for the rapid spread of emotionally charged content. “Emotions serve as a key mechanism in the propagation of false narratives, with emotional framing techniques—often designed to trigger negative feelings like fear or anger—amplifying the impact of such misinformation,” he explained. According to our interviewee, social media platforms essentially function as a stage for producing content that deepens social divisions and perpetuates stereotypes, particularly targeting minorities during conflicts and crises.
Who is Behind Disinformation Campaigns Targeting Minorities?
The researcher emphasized that identifying the key actors behind disinformation campaigns targeting religious minorities is extremely challenging. However, “it is clear that those who stand to gain from promoting sectarianism—whether for political or sectarian reasons—are typically behind such campaigns,” he concluded.
Because the use of the "minority" narrative is particularly common in crises with political or security dimensions, Bouchouar believes that major powers may even leverage these disinformation campaigns as a tool to exert pressure on certain regimes.
The researcher pointed out that divisions and conflicts related to race and religion tend to escalate during times of crisis, as it is relatively easy to stir religious emotions and reignite old grievances, especially in societies where the concept of state institutions has not matured sufficiently. “In such contexts, societies that have not reconciled with their past or moved beyond the painful memories of collective suffering, often experienced by religious or ethnic minorities, remain vulnerable.” According to the researcher, the collective memory, which stores the emotional and psychological scars of past injustices, can easily be reawakened during periods of crisis, fueling new conflicts.
The Impact of Disinformation on Religious Minorities
According to the researcher, disinformation campaigns have significant psychological, social, and economic consequences, which deepen societal divisions and perpetuate social exclusion based on religion.
He argued that the widespread use of “minority” labels to describe ethnic and religious groups can, in itself, be a form of characterization that fuels discrimination and incites hostility. “During times of conflict or crisis, these labels can be exploited as justifications for persecution, eradication, and mutual retaliation, fostering an atmosphere of doubt and mistrust between different groups within society,” he stressed.
Moreover, in several contexts, such campaigns can hinder these communities' social and economic integration, limiting their access to employment and social mobility, and, in many cases, leading to displacement or exodus due to their religious or ethnic identity.
"As I mentioned, the lack of institutions in such societies, where the concept of citizenship, irrespective of ethnic or religious background, has not fully developed, represents a serious danger," he concluded.
Bouchouar stated that the spread of falsehoods, known as "information disorder" during crises, is a significant factor influencing policy-making. Whether the intent is to disrupt, mislead, redirect, or exert social pressure, such falsehoods can also serve as a "test balloon" to gauge potential reactions. In the case of Syria, a country with a diverse mix of ethnic and religious groups, the researcher believes that given the absence of strong institutions amid widespread chaos, rumors, and disinformation are likely to be used in various ways. The spreading of fake news, in this case, according to Bouchouar, could justify illegal practices or serve as leverage for foreign intervention in shaping social, security, religious, and economic policies.
In response to our question about how governments, organizations, and various actors can ensure accurate and reliable information about religious minorities in the media and on social networks, the researcher explained that there is no “magic formula” to halt the flow of false and misleading information, particularly in conflicts and crises with deep political, religious, and ethnic roots. However, its impact can be relatively mitigated through organized and vigilant media and communication campaigns aimed at refuting and countering such mis-disinformation. To counter such campaigns, Yassine Bouchoura also suggested establishing independent platforms to monitor and fact-check information and verify sources.
“I believe the key to the success of this process lies in communication strategy,” he added, emphasizing the importance of how governments and organizations can rebuild their reputation or design a communication model that positions them as the primary source of accurate and reliable information. He also highlighted the need to train key stakeholders, including journalists, communications managers, and influential digital platforms managers, on handling disinformation. Additionally, he highlighted the need for broader media and information literacy, with campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of false and misleading news and reinforce critical thinking skills.
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