Months after the world expressed shock over the massacre of Alawites in Syria, disturbing evidence reveals that away from the spotlight and beyond the tepid condemnations of the international community, murders and abductions continue beneath the radar.
The Islamist government of Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), which has received warm embraces from Arab nations and even the presidents of the United States and France, continues its crimes against humanity. Israel Hayom has obtained troubling testimonies from Alawites in western Syria describing the operations of the new regime of terror. Earlier this week, we published details about attacks carried out immediately after President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions.
"What is happening today in the coastal region and in Homs exceeds what can be described," A. stated in an exclusive testimony. His name is withheld to protect his safety. "We are being murdered under shameful international silence. The April events never ceased beyond the screens – on the ground, they continue. I myself faced death threats for two months and found refuge at the Hmeimim Airbase (under Russian control). Today we experience a bitter daily reality of murder, poverty, and abduction of women and youth. The situation has worsened since Trump's announcement. We thought the announcement would benefit minorities, but we were surprised to discover that Trump announced his intention to lift sanctions on Syria."
According to A., "The crimes have multiplied, especially in Homs and the Jableh areas. The situation has deteriorated beyond what I can express in words. If an Alawite wants to go out today to purchase a loaf of bread or any other household necessity, he must consider that the chance of not returning home is 70%. I receive distress calls, and today I received messages about multiple Alawite girls in the Jableh and Homs areas who were taken captive. One of them is my relative. We are experiencing a catastrophe, and the international community remains silent about our quiet genocide."
"They murder without filming"
Against the backdrop of meetings between al-Sharaa, Trump, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Alawite source explained, "The feeling on the ground is that al-Sharaa has grown stronger against the Syrian public, especially minorities."
"We see this in crimes that have increased and become both more brazen and quieter. They learned from previous events. Back then, they recorded videos and their documentation exposed them. Now things are different – they murder without filming."
According to him, "After seeing the world mobilize against them, they adopted a new approach. Now they enter at night, illuminate buildings with spotlights to blind residents and prevent filming. They enter, make arrests, and leave. All arrests and abductions are conducted silently."
A. scoffs at al-Sharaa's regime attempts to present itself as fighting terrorism, "Publicly, in front of international media, they claim they're fighting 'remnants' (cells of the fallen Bashar Assad regime). There's only one question that determines your fate – are you Alawite and not Sunni, are you Alawite, Christian and not Sunni? Just answer Alawite or Christian – and it's over. No further discussion. You receive a bullet to the head. People are being murdered in cold blood. They are barbarians beyond imagination."
Regarding al-Sharaa's peace messages toward Israel, A. stated, "Dear sir, do you believe someone who murders a 6-year-old child in cold blood and smashes him against a wall aspires to democracy and peace? Is it logical this is someone who should be met with? These people were raised on cruelty and bloodshed. How will they return to peaceful ways in better times? You will not find a more reliable partner in this region than the Alawites. I envision they could become your best allies against the Turks, against ISIS members, and against all terrorist movements in the region. The Alawite loves life and peace, lives in coexistence with his Christian brother and with all who share humanity. Good and simple people.
"From my perspective as an Alawite from Syria's coast, I believe my voice represents many people here. We were painted with colors imposed on us by the previous regime (of the Assad family). Our youth are educated and respect Israel and its role in culture and technology, which fuel its success. But unfortunately, the Iranian regime tainted us with its dirty color, which does not represent our school of thought.
"My message to the State of Israel: I hope a day comes when we will be under its protection and sponsorship, and it will assist us. Because we as Alawites do not deny goodness and return favors. We hope they will save us as soon as possible because time works against us and killings increase. Our children disappear, get kidnapped and murdered. Our women are taken to Idlib and sold in slave markets. Poverty spreads throughout our society, and currently people cannot leave their homes."
Mother and infant son disappear
Another Syrian source from the coastal region described a mother and her 11-month-old son who lost contact after traveling near the Hmeimim Bridge this week. According to him, they are a woman named Hala Noursh Ibrahim and her son Ali Youssef Hazmi. "Her husband was supposed to be released from detention at the location where she was kidnapped, and the entire family became missing persons." He adds that in Idlib, his granddaughter was forcibly married to a man from the city after being kidnapped as a slave.
According to him, "The lifting of American sanctions might appear as a glimmer of hope, but one must question what the cost will be – will we pay with resources, land, or our dignity? They removed the restrictions and imposed an even heavier burden on the people for life."
Dr. Ed Verde is an Alawite physician currently living in the United States and belongs to the Western Syrian Alliance (WSA), a group formed following the March massacres and reorganized under the new name this month. "The massive killing occurred in March, but the events began on December 8. Between December 8 and March 7, the Syrian Center for Human Rights, based in Britain, reported more than 399 Alawites executed without any reason. They were civilians. Bodies were simply found scattered."
He adds that "Alawites laid down their weapons and attempted to make peace with the government, but while this was happening, civilians were executed. I am Alawite and have family in the mountain region. They tell me how they are treated, how Alawites are forced to crawl on their knees and bark like dogs."
"They mock them and ask everyone – are you Alawite or Sunni? If you're Alawite, they'll pull you from the car and demand that you crawl and bark like a dog. After the meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa, the Homs area came under attack and events occurred there almost like those on March 7. But now they're smarter and don't record videos. They tie people to cars and drive on roads while they're still alive. They continue targeting the 'productive force' of Alawites, boys around ages 14 to 16. They want to destroy the Alawite community. For example, in a village near Baniyas, they beheaded nine people."
"An insult to democracy"
The Western Syrian Alliance has been appealing to members of Congress. "We need to expose al-Sharaa. He is a terrorist," Dr. Verde said.
Regarding al-Sharaa's meetings with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, he stressed, "This is an insult to Western democracy. Bringing a terrorist to the Élysée, the presidential palace in Paris, is an insult to French history. I think in February there was a rumor that Trump would meet with al-Sharaa and everyone discussed it, but honestly, I didn't believe it. I felt he would never shake hands with a terrorist, but it happened. It was shocking, but it happened, and it unleashed the monster from al-Sharaa. He renewed the cycle of killing."
