After nearly fourteen years of civil war in Syria, one year has passed since jihadist groups affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power in Damascus. During this one-year period, massacres targeting Alawite and Druze communities have come to the fore. As human rights violations have reached alarming levels, the consequences have been particularly severe for women.
In March, systematic attacks against Alawites in the coastal regions left thousands of people killed. In July, this time in Sweida (Suwayda), nearly two thousand people lost their lives in attacks targeting the Druze community. The HTS regime, which took control a year ago with promises of democracy, has brought nothing but destruction.
Amid the wave of massacres, Büşra, an Alawite woman from Homs (Humus) who fled to Northern and Eastern Syria, spoke to ANF about the developments following what was described as the “liberation of Syria.” Büşra said that a policy of systematic genocide is being carried out against the Alawite community in the coastal areas and in Homs.
Büşra stressed that what followed HTS’s seizure of power was not a liberation, but a new phase of occupation built on sectarian terror, forced displacement, and a regime of complete impunity.
Büşra said she had lived in Homs for 36 years and explained that, despite the grave mistakes, crimes, and destruction caused by the Baath regime, there had previously been at least a minimum level of social security. She noted that inter-sectarian relations during that period were based on an oppressive balance, added: “Despite all the regime’s faults, there was no direct sectarian targeting. Sunnis were Sunnis, Druze were Druze, Alawites were Alawites.”
At the same time, Büşra underlined that this reality in no way legitimized the crimes committed by the Baath regime. She emphasized that civilians cannot be held responsible for the policies of a regime they did not choose and rejected the use of the regime’s past crimes as a justification for the collective punishment now being imposed on the Alawite community.
The so-called day of freedom was a catastrophe for us
Büşra said that the date presented as a “day of freedom” marked the beginning of a catastrophe for them. She pointed out that after HTS took control of Homs, the city was largely emptied, while fear and forced displacement spread rapidly. She explained that the groups who took control called on people to return to their homes, offering promises of security, immunity, and a return to normal life.
However, Büşra said these calls quickly turned into a trap, adding that a systematic campaign of intimidation began in March immediately after people returned to their homes. She said, “Looting, killings, and abductions targeting the Alawite community began. People were openly asked about their sect; those known to be Alawite were executed.”
Sectarian incitement
According to Büşra, this period marked a turning point in Syria in which political repression gave way to open sectarian targeting. She said insults, threats, and direct incitement against Alawites became normalized, adding that the siege and massacres carried out in the coastal regions were systematic.
Büşra rejected attempts to describe these crimes as “individual acts,” saying, “These are not individual acts; labeling them as such encourages killing and the destruction of sects in Syria.” She stressed that no perpetrators have been prosecuted, no accountability has been enforced, and that impunity has paved the way for new crimes.
Not search operations, but looting and abductions
Büşra also spoke about the so-called search operations carried out by forces affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government, saying that these practices targeted only the Alawite community. She said there were no weapons present, adding, “What happened was not the collection of weapons; it was killing, abduction, and the looting of homes.”
Büşra said young people were abducted in front of everyone’s eyes in her neighborhood in Homs and posed the following question: “If there is a decision for weapons to be collected by the state, why were only Alawites targeted?”
Büşra said many tribes remain armed and cited the attacks on Sweida and Homs as examples, noting that these groups have kept their weapons and even recorded and shared their attacks on video. Stressing that what has taken place cannot be described as freedom, Büşra said, “This is not freedom; this is an occupation.”
Büşra added that daily violations have now become part of everyday life and shared the personal tragedies she has endured. She said her cousin was killed months ago and his car was seized, and that her sister’s husband was also killed. She said: “I want justice for the blood of my cousin and my sister’s husband. Who will put these criminals on trial?”
Abducted women and the ‘honor’ lie
Büşra also addressed rumors circulating about the abduction of Alawite women, saying narratives claiming that women left of their own will were fabricated to absolve the perpetrators. She stressed that Alawite women have not historically been oppressed within their families but have instead been free and strong individuals, adding that today the discourse of “honor” is being used as a tool to legitimize crimes.
Büşra also criticized celebrations marking the anniversary of the so-called “liberation of Syria,” saying schoolchildren were forced to attend these events. She also said, “They only liberated themselves. We do not see what has happened as freedom.”
Call for joint struggle and solidarity
Büşra issued a call to all sects, ethnic groups, and social components in Syria, stressing that what is happening threatens not only Alawites but also Kurds, Arabs, Druze, and all peoples. She said a collective stance against these violations is essential.
She also thanked the Kurdish people and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, saying they opened their doors to the Alawite community and provided safe spaces. Calling on people to move toward areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Büşra said, “Here we have found security and stability. We can protect our children and women and secure our lives.”