Members of the minority sect have been methodically identified and killed by Islamist militias through “Alawite-hunting safaris” in coastal Syrian cities. Chechnya, Uzbekistan, and Turkey were among the nations that sent more than 6,000 foreign combatants to fight in the ethnic cleansing effort. The violence is being planned by the HTS group, which was taken over after Assad was overthrown and is now led by Al Jolani (now known as Al Sharaa). Despite claims of an “independent investigation,” UN efforts are reportedly manipulated through threats and bribes.
A Targeted Campaign of Sectarian Violence
Witnesses from Syria’s coastal cities describe a horrifying campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting the Alawite community. The violence has centered in areas including Baniyas, Tartus, Jableh, and Lattakia—regions with significant Alawite populations. Militias linked to HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), a group with ties to ISIS and led by Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, have systematically identified Alawite residents through ID checks and local informants. Once identified, victims face immediate execution regardless of age or gender, with their bodies often dumped into the Mediterranean Sea to conceal evidence of the massacres.
The brutal campaign involves over 6,000 foreign fighters from various countries, including Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Tajikistan. Local mosques are reportedly being used to incite violence, with calls for jihad against the Alawite population, who are considered heretics by extremist Sunni groups. Survivors describe being forced to hide in forests and mountains, unable to even hold funerals for their murdered relatives for fear of identifying themselves as Alawites and becoming targets themselves.
‘Safari hunting Alawites’: Relatives of those murdered in Syria’s massacre speak out — RT World Newshttps://t.co/8r31kvyflc pic.twitter.com/8ZFHvLCVtm
— sonja van den ende (@SonjaEnde) March 14, 2025
Witness Testimonies Reveal Horrific Atrocities
Survivors who managed to escape the massacres have begun sharing their experiences, despite fears of retaliation. One witness, identified only as “Marwa” for her protection, recounted how the violence began: “It all started on March 6, when we heard shooting and the authorities imposed a curfew. In the morning of March 7, we got in touch with all our family members on our WhatsApp family chat. My brother living in Latakia warned everyone not to leave their houses. And that was the last time we have heard from him.”
“I want to tell my story to the world, hoping that this will help bring the Jihad criminals to justice and save the massacre survivors. The killing is still going on.”
Other minority communities, including Greek Orthodox Christians, face similar persecution. One Christian identified as Eli H. declared, “I am a proud Greek Orthodox, and I will not renounce my identity even if it means death.” The targeted violence has included home invasions, public executions, the burning of houses, and widespread looting of properties. Attackers reportedly mark homes with specific symbols to identify which religious group lives there, facilitating their systematic campaign of sectarian violence.
The Alawites have historically found refuge in the mountains. These are Alawite women and children fleeing up the mountains to avoid the Joulani’s HTS terrorists https://t.co/sst99jlyTk pic.twitter.com/TYuAO37FAG
— LogKa (@LogKa11) March 9, 2025
International Response and Political Context
Critics point to American foreign policy decisions dating back to the Obama administration as contributing factors to the current crisis. According to reports, Operation Timber Sycamore channeled funds and weapons to opposition groups in Syria with the goal of removing Assad from power. Middle East analyst Kevork Almassian noted the irony of the situation that has developed after years of Western intervention.
“In 2011, Barack Obama put his signature on a covert operation by the CIA to destabilize and remove Assad from power. And therefore he funneled around $1 billion per year in order to train and arm an army of Takfiris (radical Islamic terrorists who attack other Muslims)—the Takfiris belong to the al-Qaeda ideology—basically in order to oust Assad. Now, after 14 years of this operation, Assad fled and, ironically enough, the founder of al-Qaeda in Syria, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has become the President of Syria. A few years ago, when we used to say that if Assad is gone, then Al-Qaeda will come to power, they used to say, This is an Assadist talking point, this is a conspiracy theory—well, it happened now.”
The HTS/Al Sharaa group has announced an independent investigation into the killings. Their spokesperson, Yasser Farhan, claims “no one is above the law” and has “pledged to arrest and prosecute those responsible.” However, survivors report that UN investigation efforts are being manipulated through threats and bribes to witnesses. International backlash has reportedly caused the militants to stop documenting their crimes on video, though the violence continues away from cameras. Financial and military support for the militants allegedly comes from Qatar and Turkey, with critics suggesting tacit approval from Washington.