Over the weekend, Syria witnessed a brutal anti-Alawite crackdown led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), resulting in over 1,300 deaths, including more than 1,000 civilians, according to reports. The HTS government declared the operations over, claiming to have neutralized Alawite militias in al-Mukhtareyah and al-Muzayraa, referring to them as remnants of the former Assad regime. However, the violence extended beyond militias, with HTS forces carrying out mass executions of Alawite civilians and reportedly targeting Christians. There are claims for over 7,000 Christians and Alawites were killed, including children.

The crackdown has caused widespread fear, with over 10,000 Alawites fleeing to northern Lebanon and Christian communities expressing concerns about being drawn into the violence. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa blamed Alawites for the conflict but acknowledged the threat to unity posed by civilian killings. He announced an independent committee to investigate the massacres, emphasizing the need to centralize arms under state control to prevent future resistance (!?). Meanwhile, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra ordered troops to stop filming their activities after videos of atrocities surfaced online.

So: they claim the “operation” its over but at the same time they give orderes not to film “their activities”…

It is a common “secret” that Alawites were targeted because President Assad is also an Alawite. Christians are targeted simply for their faith. They don’t need a specific reason.

While the immediate fighting has ceased, survivors in Tartus and Latakia Governorates are left to bury their dead and rebuild. The international community awaits further clarity on the death toll and accountability for the violence. But why is this international community supporting people who kill children?