The Alevi Bektaşi Federation (ABF), the Turkey Alevi Federation (ADFE) and the Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation held a press statement at the Sultangazi Pir Sultan Abdal Cemevi under the slogan “Alawites are being massacred in Syria.” The event was attended by many institutional representatives, including Ali Kenanoğlu, Co-Spokesperson of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK). A banner reading “There is an Alawite genocide in Syria” was displayed, while participants carried placards that read “This order has been corrupt since Karbala” and “We demand equal citizenship rights.” Throughout the demonstration, chants of “Murderer Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), collaborator Justice and Development Party (AKP)” were frequently heard.
The press statement was read aloud by Sevim Yalıncakoğlu, a member of the Executive Board of the Alevi Bektaşi Federation.
Sevim Yalıncakoğlu stated that oppression and massacres continue in Syria and said: “The recent increase in attacks targeting Alawite communities living in and around Homs is not merely a consequence of the war. These attacks are the result of historical religious hatred, organised violence and policies aimed at erasing Alawites. Directly targeting places of worship, living spaces and villages is an explicit war crime. HTS, which was previously designated as a terrorist organisation internationally, and the armed groups affiliated with it have long been targeting Alawite and Christian communities. HTS’s Umayyad-minded language of hatred and its policy of annihilation pose a grave threat to the lives of oppressed peoples living in Syria.”
Yalıncakoğlu added: “Above all, Turkey, the United States, Zionist Israel, and their regional collaborators, as well as all countries, capital groups and silent media outlets that directly or indirectly support HTS, are partners in this genocide. Any logistical, financial, political or military support given to the murderer Ahmed al-Sharaa (Al-Jolani) and his gang organisation is a crime not only against the oppressed peoples of the region, but against all humanity. The attacks carried out with genocidal intent against Alawites in Syria constitute crimes against humanity. Moreover, this support paves the way for attacks on the Alawite community and strengthens the gangs. We call out to the world: These gangs committing crimes against humanity must immediately be declared war criminals and put on trial!”
Yalıncakoğlu also said: “What Alawites are living through today is another Karbala. Yazid is still Yazid; the oppressed are still the oppressed. We extend our solidarity to the civilians who took to the streets yesterday in Latakia, Hama and Homs, risking their lives to stand against oppression. The oppressed peoples of Syria are not alone. The murderer Al-Jolani and his gang must be prosecuted without delay. Do not ignore the violence or the deaths of innocent people. Be the voice of the murdered women and children, do not legitimise Al-Jolani. Portraying him as a ‘messenger of peace’ is nothing but justifying and approving tyranny. To remain silent in the face of oppression is to side with evil.”
