Bashar al-Assad fled Syria on 8 December 2024. In his wake, the ethnic cleansing of Alawites and Christians began. Under proscribed terrorist Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (real name Ahmed al-Sharaa), Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces have swept the country, visiting terror on Alawite and Christian communities, robbing and killing in an orgy of sectarian violence.
I have been in contact with Sarah (not her real name), a Christian who lives in the town of Banyas on the west coast of Syria. She is 44, married, and has a daughter. Her words, sent over WhatsApp, were translated by an Alawite businessman living in the West.
It is not only al-Jolani’s native Syrian army involved in the genocide, Sarah tells me, but also Chechens from Russia and men she describes as Asian - probably from one of the former Soviet Muslim satellite countries. All are al-Qaeda- or ISIS-inspired. It appears al-Jolani’s orders are sent to the mosques for dissemination to HTS, who then visit the Christian and Alawite towns and villages. They have also set up roadblocks and guide the foreign terrorist militias to the communities. Drones fly menacingly overhead, spreading a palpable fear among the cowering citizens below.
Horrific Persecution
The events Sarah described took place between Thursday 13 March and Saturday 15 March. Sarah and her family had a knock on the door and were asked whether they had any links to Assad’s army. They had none; one of Sarah’s nephews had even paid not to join. The fighters then looted the houses of possessions such as mobile phones, money, and gold.
The next day, a different, second wave of the HTS squad arrived in the town. An Afghani asked in Arabic where the Alawites were. They then asked the same questions of the families again about collusion with Assad. However, as the families had no remaining assets, the mood this time turned ugly. From her apartment on the first floor, Sarah peered from behind the curtains. They opened fire with automatic rifles, and three of her brothers were instantly killed, along with all of the neighbours. Their bodies were burnt, and it is believed they were disposed of in the sea to cover up the atrocity.
The Alawites and Christians have fled to the valleys and the mountains. Some have taken refuge in a Russian air base. All are desperate for a country to live in. The places they once lived have now become ghost towns, with the middle classes targeted in particular, not only for their possessions but also to deprive the communities of their stable livelihoods. Sarah’s family owned a butcher and a mini market. They have no hope.
The United Nations has been unseen and ineffectual, with the Red Crescent bringing in only limited supplies. Britain has sent £50 million in humanitarian aid but has failed to mention the violence. The European Union’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, hoped for an inclusive society but blamed the violence on HTS mopping up pro-Assad forces. That is largely untrue.
Aside from the appalling situation faced by the Christians and Alawites, there is an awareness that the Kurds are coming under increasing pressure, as well as the Druze in the south, although the latter seem to have the protection of Israel. Only America, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has condemned the situation for Christians, noting with concern the recent deadly violence against minorities.
Twitter Post:
View on Twitter →This is ethnic cleansing, if not a genocide, and needs to be brought to the world’s attention. It must stop now.
You can donate to Sarah and her community here.
