Various organisations and civil society groups from North and East Syria have strongly condemned the massacres of Alawites in western Syria, which had left more than 1000 dead by Sunday, after several days of turmoil, with the civilian death toll yet to be determined.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has condemned the attacks against the Alawite community in Syria’s coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartus, and parts of Homs, which have resulted in over 1,000 deaths, mostly civilians. These attacks “hinder the building of the future Syria, a Syria that accommodates all its people without sectarianism or chauvinism”, the AANES said.
Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), commented to Reuters on the recent massacres of Alawites in Syria, calling them part of a “systematic campaign against Syria’s minorities” and saying that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa must “intervene to halt the massacres”. The “factions responsible are supported by Turkey and by Islamic extremists”, he added.
The Kongra Star Women’s movement made a press statement in Qamishli (Qamişlo), condemning the attacks against Alawites: “Massacres and tortures committed against a defenceless community are unacceptable from any point of view, and these actions are inhuman.” Kongra Star called on the international community to speak out and take action against the massacres.
“The Damascus government, with its hostility towards religious diversity, women and children, will be incapable of building a safe and just future for Syrian society. A democratic system based on equality and freedom cannot be achieved under such oppressive and authoritarian policies,” Kongra Star stated.
Ruken Cemal, spokeswoman for the Kurdish armed force the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), said in a video shared on social media that the YPJ “will never accept massacres of civilians”, pledging to hold the perpetrators to account.
“In these days of Ramadan, when bloodshed is prohibited by Islamic law and considered the greatest crime, and in these days of spring, which hold great significance for us women as we celebrate 8 March—the day of our existence, achieved through immense struggle and sacrifice—such massacres against the Alawite people, particularly against women and children, are deeply saddening and painful for us,” Cemal said.
