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Ghada loses ‘about 70’ family in Syria in just 2 days

1 week ago
1 week ago

Syrian Alawite Violence: A Tragic Tale of Loss and Fear

Thousands of kilometers away from her homeland, Ghada Marouf is watching, and waiting, for answers.
In just two days, Marouf said “about 70 or more” extended family members were killed in the Syrian port city of Tartus, as the country suffered its worst bloodshed since former president Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power.
From Sydney, she has been trying to communicate with family, and is “collapsing from crying”.
“My extended family, about 70 people or more, have passed away, and until now there are people we don’t know anything about — relatives, acquaintances, neighbors, friends,” she told SBS News in Arabic.

“We try to communicate with them on a daily basis, and we are collapsing from crying. Until now, we have not been able to communicate.”

More than 1,000 people have been reported killed, according to one monitoring group, in violence that has swept Syria’s coastal region since last Thursday.
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government’s security forces against fighters from the Alawite minority, to which Assad belongs.
With every call from Syria, Marouf fears more bad news.

“The moment I heard my sister’s voice, she was screaming and sending me a voicemail saying, ‘sister, maybe you can hear my voice now, but we don’t know what will happen to us later.’ Her children were next to her, and screaming.”

How did the violence unfold?

The violence began to unfold last Thursday (local time) when authorities said their forces in the coastal region came under attack from fighters aligned with the ousted Assad regime.

The Sunni Islamist-led government poured reinforcements into the area to stamp out what it described as a well-planned and premeditated assault by remnants of the Assad government.

The area is heavily populated by Alawites — a minority sect with roots in Shia Islam, and the second-largest religious group in Syria after Sunni Muslims.
Centered in north-western Syria, they make up roughly 12 percent of the population.
The Assad-led state recruited heavily from the Alawite community for its army and security apparatus, which was notorious for its brutality during more than five decades of family rule.
This put many Alawites on the frontlines of the civil war that erupted out of protests against Assad’s rule in 2011.
Many Alawites say that they suffered like other Syrians under the rule of Assad and his father.

Reports entire families killed, UN says

By Friday afternoon, reports emerged that scores of civilians had been killed in sectarian reprisals in Alawite towns and villages.
As of Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based organization, said 973 civilians were killed in reprisal attacks carried out by government forces or fighters aligned with them. That includes 545 in Latakia and 262 in Tartus.
It said 250 Alawite fighters affiliated with the former regime were killed along with 231 government security personnel, bringing the total fatalities since Thursday to 1,454.

The SOHR is one monitoring group. Another group, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), said on Tuesday that 803 people had been killed. Of those, the group said at least 211 civilians and 172 security, police and military forces were killed by “non-state armed groups” linked to the Assad regime.

At least 420 civilians and “disarmed fighters” — including 39 children, 49 women and 27 medical personnel — were killed by “armed forces participating in military operations”, including factions and affiliated groups.
The SNHR says it does not document the deaths of “non-state armed group members” during conflicts.

The United Nations human rights office has so far documented the killing of 111 civilians, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, but it expects the real toll will be significantly higher.

Thameen Al-Kheetan told a press briefing that initial reports indicated perpetrators, who have not been identified, were both members of armed groups supporting Syria’s interim authorities and those associated with the former regime.
“They appear to have been carried out on a sectarian basis, in Tartus, Latakia and Hama governorates — reportedly by unidentified armed individuals, members of armed groups allegedly supporting the caretaker authorities’ security forces, and by elements associated with the former government,” he said.
“In a number of extremely disturbing instances, entire families — including women, children and individuals hors de combat — were killed, with predominantly Alawite cities and villages targeted in particular.”

The spokesperson used a French term for those incapable of fighting.

‘I’ve lost 14 people’

Syrian-Australian Tima Alwaary feels time is running out to find her missing loved ones.
“I’ve lost 14 people all up now. Some of them are children,” she told SBS News.
In Latakia, she said her cousin Ibrahim was among them.
“Ibrahim was outside of his house looking for his sister. As he was looking for her, they approached him and they started yelling at him to run back into his house. As he was trying to go back in, they started shooting him.

“The first shot was in the leg. As he has run inside screaming, they’ve shot him again and again and again, until he fell to the floor and they just kept on shooting into him.”

How has the Syrian regime, and international leaders, responded?

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa led the most powerful Sunni Islamist group fighting Assad.

Conclusion

The violence in Syria’s coastal region has taken a devastating toll on families, with reports of entire families being killed in sectarian reprisals. As the conflict continues, the international community must step in to prevent further bloodshed and loss of innocent lives.

FAQs

What is the current death toll in Syria’s coastal region?

As of Sunday, the death toll in Syria’s coastal region stands at 1,454, with hundreds of civilians and security personnel killed in the violence.

What is the response from the United Nations and other human rights organizations?

The United Nations and human rights organizations have condemned the violence in Syria and are calling for an immediate end to the bloodshed. They are working to document the atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Syrian Politician Al-Sharaa Vows to Unite Country After Assad’s Ousting

Since the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power, Syrian politician al-Sharaa has made a commitment to lead Syria in a more inclusive and united manner. In a recent speech, al-Sharaa addressed the challenges facing the country, particularly the remnants of the Assad government who are backed by external forces and are attempting to sow discord and reignite civil war in Syria with the goal of dividing the nation.

Efforts to Ensure Accountability and Preserve Peace

Al-Sharaa has outlined several key initiatives to address the current situation in Syria:

  • Formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate and hold accountable those involved in violence against civilians

  • Pledge to punish anyone responsible for mass killings, even if they are his own allies

  • Commitment to making the committee’s findings public

  • Establishment of a committee dedicated to safeguarding civil peace in the country

In an interview with Reuters, al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of addressing the threats posed by mass killings of Alawites to his mission of unifying Syria. He vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for such atrocities, regardless of their affiliations.

The United States, which has imposed sanctions on Damascus, has called for Syrian authorities to hold accountable radical Islamist terrorists who have been perpetrating violence in the country. Additionally, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, both allies of Syria, have expressed support for al-Sharaa’s administration and condemned the actions of outlaw groups targeting security forces in Syria.

Iran, a key supporter of Assad during the conflict, has warned that the ongoing violence in Syria could have broader implications for regional stability.

Australian Syrian Alawite Community Advocates for Action

In Australia, members of the Syrian Alawite community are urging immediate action to address the escalating violence in Syria. Fatima Ali from the Muslim Alawite Advocacy Group called on the Australian government and people to take note of the situation and intervene in any way possible to help mitigate the crisis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Australia has expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violence in Syria, including reports of civilian casualties. The government has called for restraint from all parties involved and emphasized the need to protect civilians in accordance with international law.

— This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Arabic, with additional reporting from Reuters

Conclusion

The political landscape in Syria remains volatile following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, with new challenges emerging as the country strives for unity and peace. Al-Sharaa’s efforts to address the threats of violence and division, as well as the international community’s responses to the situation, underscore the complex dynamics at play in Syria’s ongoing conflict.

FAQ

1. What initiatives has al-Sharaa announced to address the situation in Syria?

Al-Sharaa has established a fact-finding committee to investigate violence against civilians, pledged to punish those responsible for mass killings, and formed a committee dedicated to preserving civil peace in the country.

2. How has the international community responded to the escalation of violence in Syria?

The United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran have all weighed in on the situation in Syria, with varying degrees of support for al-Sharaa’s administration and calls for accountability for acts of violence.

3. What is the Australian government’s stance on the conflict in Syria?

Australia has expressed deep concern over the recent violence in Syria and has called for restraint from all parties involved, emphasizing the need to protect civilians in accordance with international law.

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