Rising sectarian violence in Syria has forced thousands of Alawite families to seek refuge at a Russian airbase, fearing for their lives after recent attacks on their communities.
Syrian Families Seek Refuge at Russian Airbase Amid Escalating Sectarian Violence
Syrian Families Seek Refuge at Russian Airbase Amid Escalating Sectarian Violence
Alawite families flee their homes to escape attacks, with many finding shelter at a Russian military base.
In a heart-wrenching account, Dalaal Mahna mourns her son, who was brutally killed by gunmen, as she and others from Syria’s Alawite minority seek safety at a remote Russian airbase in western Syria. The violence targeting Alawites surged following a security operation that was launched in response to an ambush on security personnel in Jableh, in which 13 officers were killed. Reports suggest that over 1,400 civilians have lost their lives since March 6, predominantly from the Alawite community of Latakia and surrounding provinces.
Dalaal's story is just one among many, highlighting the anguish of families who have faced loss and displacement. She describes her son Amjad Qatrawi, aged 25, evoking sympathy as she recounts how he was taken from her and later shot by insurgents. The recent upsurge in violence has been attributed to revenge killings executed by gunmen associated with the new Sunni-led government, targeting Alawite communities in the region.
As hostility erupted, the United Nations reported verification of 111 civilian deaths, with the actual number likely to be higher, underscoring the severity of the situation. Many victims fell prey to summary executions during this alarming escalation of violence, which has left countless families devastated and fearing for their lives.
In addition to the loss of loved ones, displaced residents from these communities sought refuge at the Hmeimim airbase, where they endure difficult living conditions. Despite the potential threat of further violence, some hope to return home, as witnessed by families cautiously re-entering their villages, while others assert their need for international protection.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the bloodshed, but skepticism lingers in the air about whether genuine accountability will emerge from this ongoing crisis. As tensions rise and sectarian divides deepen, the impact of these events will resonate for a long time, threatening the fragile fabric of Syrian society.
Dalaal's story is just one among many, highlighting the anguish of families who have faced loss and displacement. She describes her son Amjad Qatrawi, aged 25, evoking sympathy as she recounts how he was taken from her and later shot by insurgents. The recent upsurge in violence has been attributed to revenge killings executed by gunmen associated with the new Sunni-led government, targeting Alawite communities in the region.
As hostility erupted, the United Nations reported verification of 111 civilian deaths, with the actual number likely to be higher, underscoring the severity of the situation. Many victims fell prey to summary executions during this alarming escalation of violence, which has left countless families devastated and fearing for their lives.
In addition to the loss of loved ones, displaced residents from these communities sought refuge at the Hmeimim airbase, where they endure difficult living conditions. Despite the potential threat of further violence, some hope to return home, as witnessed by families cautiously re-entering their villages, while others assert their need for international protection.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the bloodshed, but skepticism lingers in the air about whether genuine accountability will emerge from this ongoing crisis. As tensions rise and sectarian divides deepen, the impact of these events will resonate for a long time, threatening the fragile fabric of Syrian society.
