The death toll from massacres committed by Syrian security forces against Alawite civilians has risen to 745, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The killings mark one of the deadliest internal crackdowns since the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024.
The massacres took place across several regions of Syria where Alawite communities had historically been strong supporters of Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Following Assad’s disgraceful fall and exile, many Alawites found themselves targeted by the remnants of his security forces, accused of betrayal or suspected of collaborating with opposition groups. Survivors have described scenes of brutal executions, mass arrests, and forced disappearances, as Syria descends further into chaos.
According to local sources, security forces carried out door-to-door raids in Latakia, Tartus, and parts of Homs, executing entire families and leaving neighborhoods littered with bodies. In some instances, witnesses reported victims being tortured before being shot or burned alive. The massacre has sparked widespread panic among the Alawite population, many of whom are now seeking to flee the country, fearing further reprisals.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly since the fall of Assad, with various factions vying for control over the fragmented country. While opposition forces initially promised protection for civilians, Syria has become a battleground for competing militias, Islamic extremists, and remnants of the old regime, all seeking to consolidate power. Reports indicate that the massacres were carried out by a faction of Assad’s former intelligence forces, now acting independently and without oversight.
International human rights organizations have condemned the atrocities, calling for immediate intervention to protect vulnerable communities. The United Nations has so far failed to take concrete action, despite mounting evidence of war crimes. Critics argue that the UN’s inaction reflects a pattern of global indifference to Syrian suffering, similar to the years-long silence over Assad’s war crimes before his downfall.
The massacres highlight the power vacuum left in Syria following Assad’s departure and the withdrawal of his Iranian backers. Without a strong central authority, ethnic and sectarian tensions are escalating, threatening to plunge Syria into another decade of bloodshed. As the country remains in turmoil, Alawites—once privileged under Assad’s rule—now find themselves among the most vulnerable groups, facing retribution from those seeking to settle old scores.
