I’ve got news for you. The Syrian despotic regime is not so isolated anymore.
The rulers of Syria and indeed the controllers of the Baath party in Syria are Allawis —> considered heretical by mainstain Sunni and Shia muslims. Their beliefs tend more towards the Gnostic. In addition, Syria has 10% Christian population (mostly maronites, but also others), Druze, Shia (twelvers and fivers), Ismailies, some Ibadis and Sunnis.