Skip to content

Gunmen Kill 10 in Attack on Syrian Alawite Village

An armed guard monitors a group of men, reportedly belonging to the Alawite minority community in Syria, standing in line—reflecting the tense and uncertain environment in the conflict zone.

Minority Watch: A brutal attack in Syria’s Hama province has left ten people dead in what has been described as a sectarian massacre. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack took place on Friday, February 1, in the village of Arzah, home to members of the Alawite minority, which has historically been associated with the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The Britain-based war monitor reported that gunmen entered the village under false pretenses, knocking on doors before executing civilians with handguns fitted with silencers.

Among the victims were a child and an elderly woman. “The attackers were Sunni Muslims, and the killings bear all the hallmarks of sectarian violence,” stated Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

A local resident, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, recounted how two vehicles carrying seven armed men entered the village, purportedly to inspect homes for weapons.

Instead, they forced the men outside, ordered them to kneel, and executed them “in cold blood.” The bodies were later transported to Hama National Hospital before being buried.

Security forces are reportedly pursuing the assailants. Syrian newspaper Al-Watan quoted a security source in Hama as saying that authorities have “surrounded the Arzah area to hunt the criminals.” Some of those killed were reportedly former military officers and soldiers.

Rising Violence Against Alawites

Since the overthrow of Assad’s regime in early December, attacks on Alawites have surged. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has recorded at least 162 killings targeting members of the sect.

Despite assurances from the new Sunni-led government in Damascus, many Alawites fear collective reprisals for their historical association with the Assad family, which ruled Syria for over five decades. This anxiety was further fueled by the recent arrest of Atif Najib, a cousin of Assad accused of orchestrating a violent crackdown in Daraa—the city where the 2011 Syrian uprising began.

For decades, the fate of Syria’s Alawite community was intertwined with the ruling Assad family. The sect’s dominance in the military and intelligence services ensured its privileged status. However, as the civil war dragged on, the community suffered heavy casualties. By November 2024, a third of Alawite men aged 20 to 50 had been killed in combat.

When the rebel coalition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a sweeping offensive late last year, many Alawite soldiers reportedly refused to fight. Key cities such as Homs and even the Alawite stronghold along the coast fell with little resistance.

Historical Tensions and an Uncertain Future

Alawites have long faced religious and social discrimination in Syria. Their beliefs, which incorporate elements of Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, have historically made them the target of suspicion. The famous medieval theologian Ibn Taymiyyah even called for their eradication.

Under French colonial rule, the Alawites were granted a semi-autonomous state in 1920. However, after Syria gained independence, many Sunnis continued to view them as heretics. Their political fortunes changed in 1970 when Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father, consolidated power, appointing Alawites to key government and military positions. The sect played a crucial role in suppressing uprisings, most notably in the 1982 Hama massacre, where government forces killed an estimated 30,000 people.

Now, with Assad’s regime dismantled, the Alawite community faces a precarious future. The new government in Damascus, led by HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has pledged to integrate Alawites into the new Syria and avoid sectarian revenge. However, there are concerns that a “de-Baathification” campaign could effectively become a “de-Alawitization” purge, removing them from positions of power.

HTS has stated that it will not impose Islamic law on minorities and has set up reconciliation centers for members of the former regime’s armed forces. Still, some fear that surrendering weapons may lead to arrests or extrajudicial killings.

The International Response

The treatment of Alawites will be a key test for the new Syrian government, influencing diplomatic relations and humanitarian aid policies. Western nations are closely monitoring the situation, wary of renewed sectarian violence.

Some analysts believe that many Alawites will retreat to their coastal strongholds, though this is far from guaranteed. The new government is unlikely to cede Syria’s strategic maritime access, and lingering tensions could make relocation dangerous.

For now, Syria stands at a crossroads. The country’s new rulers insist they are committed to justice and inclusion, but whether they can prevent further sectarian bloodshed remains to be seen.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

You may also like

subscribe to our newsletter

I expressly agree to receive the newsletter and know that i can easily unsubscribe at any time

Would You Help?

Minority Watch gives a voice to the voiceless and delivers vital information to you. Your gift ensures our mission continues, empowering marginalized communities.

Join our Mailing list!

Get all latest news and updates.