According to:

http://middleeast.about.com/od/syria/tp/The-Difference-Between-Alawites-And-Sunnis-In-Syria.htm

Baschar al-Assad belongs to the Alawite religious group. This sect, unlike the Sunni Turks (I presume), celebrates Christmas and permits the drinking of alcohol. Let me ask you, Christians of the world, “Do you drink alcohol and do you sit by the Christmas tree on Christmas?”
“Does Erdogan of Turkey?”
Christian nations, do you oust people from power who celebrate and permit Christian tradition, or do you support those who do not and who financially support enemy militias?? If anyone in Syria protects Christians, it would be the Alawites in my view. I’m convinced now. Thank you for reading.