The Alawites , with their high status , appointed and promoted based on kinship and favor rather than professional respect .
During the 1990s , Assad further strengthened Alawite dominance by replacing Sunni General Hikmat al - Shihabi with General Ali Aslan as chief of staff .
The Alawite , with Alawite 's high status , appointed and promoted based on kinship and favor rather than professional respect .
During the 1990s , Assad further strengthened Alawite dominance by replacing Sunni General Hikmat al - Shihabi with General Ali Aslan as chief of staff .