Why does Sunni Syria support Shia Hezbollah?
Firstly, the government of Syria is largely secular and even though Syria is ruled by the Alawites. Secondly, Syria is not all Sunni- there are large minorities of Shiites, Christians, Druze, and Jews (yes, there are Arab Jews)- all coexisting peacefully with each other. Syria and Hezbollah share a common arch-enemy, Israel. Syrians view Hezbollah as a group of freedom fighters, and offer monetary and moral support (and reportedly, military support- though these claims have never been verified nor has any evidence been offered to prove otherwise). Additionally, Syria views Hezbollah as the only stable force within Lebanon (while the majority of the country is split into warring sects, Southern Lebanon- Hezbollah territory- remains peaceful), and therefore supports them, knowing that in a one-man-one-vote election, Hezbollah would have landslide victory.
