Syria’s New Regime Faces Outrage After Massacres of Christians and Alawites

As Syria’s new government consolidates power, retribution against those linked to the former Assad regime has intensified -- triggering new waves of bloodshed in an already fractured region.

In the early months of its rule, the international community watched the new Syrian government with growing concern. After the swift capture of Damascus and the flight of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a new government led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) emerged, raising serious questions about its past affiliations and future intentions.

HTS, formerly known in the Al-Qaeda branch as Jabhat al-Nusrah, or “Nusra Front”, was a northern militia group that sought the overthrow and removal of Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad. After a ten-day military offensive, HTS was able to achieve its goals, overthrowing the Assad regime and taking over Syria. 

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), HTS has been designated a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” by the U.S. State Department. Despite this designation, HTS has sought to portray itself as a legitimate governing force and a “liberator” from the tyranny of Assad’s regime. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharra has publicly pledged to protect the rights of all minority groups in Syria.

However, as Syria attempts to move on from the Assad era, keeping that promise has proven difficult. Government forces have turned their attention to Christian and Alawite communities, particularly in Latakia and other coastal regions.

The Alawite community is one of three sects of Islam in Syria that practice the Alwai from the early Shia that are predominantly in the Syrian region of Latakia.   

The Assad family has long-standing ties to the Alawites. Despite efforts by many Alawites to distance themselves from the regime in the final years of the civil war, residual loyalty remains within some communities.

On March 6, a series of attacks occurred, reportedly coordinated by individuals suspected of having ties to Assad loyalist networks. By March 10, the death toll had reached 200 members of the Syrian security forces.

In retaliation, government forces launched “combing operations” in Latakia and other western cities to root out suspected Assad sympathizers. These operations quickly devolved into chaos as soldiers reportedly looted homes, burned villages, and committed widespread atrocities against Alawite and Christian communities, many of whom had no connection to the March 6 attacks.

“Many people were killed, displaced, and everybody from the minority sect is very afraid,” said Mimi Homsi, a citizen of Latakia. “There is no security or safety in Syria at all due to the foreign factions that entered, and committed massacres in some villages and cities.”

Journalist amid the rubble (Photograph: The Guardian)

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, security forces and affiliated armed groups were responsible for the deaths of at least 396 people, including civilians and disarmed individuals allegedly connected to the former regime. Other estimates suggest the death toll may be as high as 700 to 1,300.

Several families would end up being forced/displaced out of their homes, seeking refuge in other neighboring Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Lebanon, with Info Migrants reporting 21,637 new arrivals from Syria into Lebanon. 

As the death toll climbed and families were displaced en masse, international condemnation followed. Human Rights Watch stated, “The Syrian government should immediately ensure that civilians who want to flee are able to do so through secure routes and that humanitarian organizations can provide assistance to those in remote villages.”

Despite the assurances from President al-Sharra that he vowed to keep away from revenge killings, the United States of America and several countries were quick to condemn the attack, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying how the US stands with religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, and that “interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these massacres” accountable.

The European Union has also denounced the attack, saying, “civilians have to be protected in all circumstances in full respect of international humanitarian law.”

These attackers are still carrying out attacks on civilians…” says Georges Massara, retired engineer and former Syrian civilian. “As a Syrian, it breaks my heart to see my country torn apart by years of conflict, pain and division.”

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharra (Photograph: CNN)

With the crisis growing more and more aware, President al-Sharra and his government have stated that an investigation would called onto the matter, where they would investigate public institutions, security, and the military to get to the bottom of the matter, with al-Sharra boldly saying in an interview, “Syria is a state of law…the law will take its course on all.”

Despite this investigation, Syrian officials have reportedly blamed Assad loyalists, with al-Sharra blaming the outbreak of violence on militias loyal to Assad’s brother. Evidence on how the violence sparked, however, has yet to be found, as the investigation continues to drag on, and more families become displaced.

“Syria was once a place of deep history, rich culture, and warm, resilient people,” Massara said. “My hope is for a future Syria where justice replaces fear, where accountability brings healing and where every citizen can speak freely, live with dignity, and dream without limits… but despite everything, I still believe in the spirit of the Syrian people—in our strength to rebuild, to forgive, and rise again.”