Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took control after the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, continues its attacks against Durzi and Alevis. On 22 January, Dr Rasha Nasser Al-Ali, an Alevi academic kidnapped by HTS, was murdered. In early March, hundreds of people, including women and children, were massacred in Latakia and Tartus.

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that 745 Alevis were killed in the clashes. However, it is stated that this number is higher. It was also announced that 125 people affiliated to HTS were also killed in the aftermath of the attacks. After the attacks, many Alevis had to leave their places in Latakia and Tartus. In addition, looting started in the region. Many images of the attacks and massacres against the Alevis were reflected on the virtual media.

 

Syria's "interim" President Ahmed al-Shara did not recognise the massacre and described it as a "new fitna".

 

The US State Department condemned the attacks and said, "The United States stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities, and offers its condolences to the victims and their families."

 

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazlum Abdi said that Turkey-backed and pro-ISIS groups are responsible for the attacks.

 

'FOREIGNERS COMMIT MASSACRES'

 

A person who lives in the are where the clashes took place described the latest situation in the region. He asked his name to be written as "Sultani" and stated that looting and murders started after HTS took control of the country. Sultani said, "They condemned us to hunger and thirst. They deprived us of our jobs. They dismantled factories, power plants, transformers, even bakeries. They kidnapped women, killed farmers, killed children. The people are suffering from hunger and misery. There was a rebellion against this situation after looting and murder."

 

Sultani said, "A while ago, a group came and took a police station and killed some people. They captured many people and fled to the mountain. When they fled to the mountain, these so-called resistance fighters and Sunnis declared jihad against Alevis. They entered villages in convoys and committed massacres. They entered Banyas. Fifty percent of Banyas is Sunni and fifty percent Alevi. Currently, all of them are Sunnis. People living in Daliye and Beytana villages were massacred by imported gangs. Colani is the one who sent them. First the foreign brigade enters and massacres. Then the police unit enters behind them."

 

Sultani stated that some children and women were raped and their bodies were kept on the streets for days. Stressing that houses were looted and burnt Sultani added, "Wherever there was a light, whereever there was a village, they entered. They enter the houses without question and scan them. Or they cut people's throats. Those who survived the massacre took refuge with the Russians. Alevis and non-Muslims have no security of life. A week ago they distributed weapons to Sunnis in our neighbourhood."

 

MA / Hamdullah Yağız Kesen