Circassians in Syria
Circassians in Syria refer to the Circassian diaspora that settled in Syria (then part of the Ottoman Empire) in the 19th century. They moved to Syria after the Circassian genocide following the Russo-Circassian War. While they have become an increasingly assimilated part of Syrian society, they have maintained a distinct identity, having retained their language (in addition to Arabic), their tribal heritage, and some of their other traditional customs.
Сирием ис Адыгэхэр الشركس في سوريا | |
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The liberation of Damascus from the Axis powers, 1941. Allied forces are escorted by Circassian cavalry volunteers. | |
| Total population | |
| 40,000–100,000 (pre-Civil War estimates) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Quneitra Governorate, Damascus, Aleppo area (particularly Khanasir), smaller communities in the areas of Homs and Hama | |
| Languages | |
| Mostly Arabic and Circassian languages Smaller numbers also speak Abkhaz | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Circassian people |
| Part of a series on the |
| Circassians Адыгэхэр |
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List of notable Circassians Circassian genocide |
| Circassian diaspora |
| Circassian tribes |
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Surviving Destroyed or barely existing |
| Religion |
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Religion in Circassia |
| Languages and dialects |
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| History |
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Show |
| Culture |
Prior to the Syrian Civil War, the Circassian population was estimated to be around 100,000. Since the decade long conflict began in 2011, the predominantly Sunni Muslim population of ethnic Circassians in Syria has dwindled.
Many of Syria's ethnic Circassians have left the country and have repatriated or are in the process of repatriation to the titular Circassian parts of North Caucasia, in particular Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, as well as to partially recognised Republic of Abkhazia.
In 2018 Professor John Shoup said that the Circassian population in Syria formed about 1% of the country's total population, making them the sixth largest ethnic group in the country.