Aren’t Alawites a sub-branch of Shia and that is among the reasons Iran is supporting Assad?
Alawite beliefs are so heretical to Muslims I can't believe even the Shias would think of them as true Muslims.
The Alawites stand up against the Sunni Muslims who consider both the Alawites and Shias heretics.
That is something the Alawites and Shias share in common.
Infidel Russia supports Assad also
Shiite Iran supports Assad because Iran considers Sunni Saudi Arabia an enemy.
In the future look for Iran to agitate the Shias in Saudi Arabia to rebel against the Saudi Govt. -Tom