SORGUL ŞÊXO

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- The conflict and tensions between different ethnic and religious groups in Syria have been an ongoing reality for years. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) came to power in Syria, targeting the Alawite community in Syria’s coastal regions.

More than 1,600 people have been killed in the massacres committed against the Alawite community, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a Britain-based monitoring group. However, this number is much higher, according to local sources. 71-year-old Suad El-Abdullah managed to flee from Homs 10 days ago and took shelter in the city of Qamishlo, Jazira Canton of North and East Syria.

‘Homs is not safe anymore’

“We had to flee from the city of Homs due to the attacks of armed groups,” said Suad El-Abdullah. “Women and children were kidnapped in Homs. Homs is not safe anymore. I fled Homs to protect my son. People are still kidnapped and killed in Homs. The armed groups attack homes, killing children, women and men.”

‘Women are kidnapped, taken to Idlib’

Suad El-Abdullah could not flee from Homs at the beginning of the genocidal attacks because the exits of the city were closed. “Women are kidnapped and taken to Idlib by the armed groups. They especially attack the Alawite villages. Two days ago, two brothers were killed at their own shop. The armed groups first ask ‘who is Alawite?’ and then kill Alawites.”

‘We were massacred after being deceived by temporary peace’

Suad El-Abdullah summarized what they faced by saying, “We were deceived”. “We deceived, they lied to us. They told us we were safe and Sunnis and Alawites were siblings. They promised peace to the people. Even displaced people returned to their homes. However, they began to massacre us. They kill people and settle in the homes of the displaced people.”

Suad El-Abdullah told us that the members of the armed groups are not Syrians. “They are Pakistanis, Chechens and the members of ISIS from many other countries,” she said, demanding justice and accountability.

“We want peace and a safe life for our children. I demand those who have killed Alawites be brought to justice. As Alawites, our identity must be recognized in the constitution. All we want is peace, stability and a good life. We do not want to be killed or kidnapped anymore. We have the right to have a say, to express our opinions and live in Syria.”