'Alawī

The Alawite community traces its beginnings to Ibn Nusayr, a ninth-century follower of the tenth and eleventh imams. Al-Khasibi organized the community under the Hamdanids in northern Syria, and al-Tabarani moved to Latakia in 1032 and taught in the coastal region.

Alawite communities became established in the Syrian coastal mountains during Mamluk rule. In 1834–1835 Alawites rose against Egyptian rule in the region, but the revolt was suppressed.