User blog comment:Daxus Inferno/Real Countries?/@comment-5789047-20130402135456/@comment-3398633-20130402151313

I would actually argue that Assad does have civilian support. The Alawites are a minority, but control the military and the government. If they lose, and as the rebels and the Sunni majority have stated themselves, there will be Alawite blood running through the streets. So the Alawites who make up most of the military and the leadership are more concerned with their survival, and would thus naturally support the current Alawite leader. There are in fact hundreds of thousands of Alawites supporting him, with those in Turkey actually hoping he wins (watched Al-Jeezera's report on it).