Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took control after the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, has massacred thousands of Alawites in recent months. While the massacres intensified especially in the Latakia countryside, thousands of families had to migrate to different places. 

 

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria sent aid trucks to the region through Heyva Sor a Kurd in solidarity with the Alawites who were subjected to attacks. Sent on 16 March and 11 April, the convoys delivered aid to thousands of citizens living in Latakia and Latakia's coastal towns of Ceblê (Cebele) and Banyas (Baniyas). 

 

Ronahi TV reporter Ziwer Şêxo, who was following the convoys, was detained for a short time on 21 March by Damascus regime forces. Şêxo, whose camera and phone were confiscated, was released after the Autonomous Administration intervened. 

 

Şêxo talked to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about what happened in the region. Pointing out that the attacks stopped to some extent upon the agreement signed between the interim government in Damascus and the Autonomous Administration, Şêxo noted that humanitarian aid was taken to the region as the attacks decreased. Stating that some convoys were wanted to be prevented for various reasons, Şêxo said, "The Autonomous Administration removed the 'Heyva Sor' emblems in order to overcome the crisis and ensure that aid reaches people. This action of the armed groups affiliated to Damascus did not have much response. Because in the places we visited, people realised that the aid came from the autonomous administration." 

 

MASSACRE ALONG THE COAST 

 

Şêxo stated that they first reached Hema, where they were blocked for a while, and then travelled to Ceblê. Şêxo said, "We saw that young people were preparing to meet the aid convoys. They welcomed us. The priest and a few people protecting Mar Yaqûb Church (El Mukattah) accompanied us on the following trips. From here we travelled directly to the coastal areas. There was no massacre in the first village we visited. But as we approached the coastal areas, we came across the real picture of the massacre. Houses in the villages had been burnt down. In some houses only old women were left. One woman told us that her 4 sons had been massacred. They were showing us the blood stains where their children had been massacred. There were women who said that their husbands had been massacred. A 10-year-old boy showed us the bodies in the footage he had recorded. He was telling us which one was his father and which one was his uncle. For example, the massacre had happened in front of his eyes. We asked the victims what they were asked and how the massacre started. Is he Alevi?‘ they asked him." 

 

‘MASSACRED FOR THEIR BELIEFS’

 

"Some families had only one person left, in some villages 200 people were massacred,’ said Şêxo, adding that the presence of the Autonomous Administration in the region made Alevis feel safe, even if only a little. Şêxo stated that in addition to the massacres, looting and thefts were also taking place in the region. Şêxo noted that some families did not even have enough food to eat. Şêxo stated that women showed great resistance against the massacre. 

 

‘MASSACRE CONTINUES’

 

Şêxo stated that he was detained because he was trying to publicise what was happening and stressed, "In the coastal villages, there were people who showed courage and spoke out. But the situation was very different in coastal cities. They were worried about being killed. Recently, we learnt that 6 more people were massacred in Banyas and Homs because they were Alawites. One of them is a 13-year-old child. The massacres are still continuing. Some press organisations broadcasting in Arabic did not interview the victims of these massacres. Because they are parties in this massacre."

 

DETENTION PROCESS 

 

Stating that they went to the region to be the voice of Alevis, Şêxo said, "When we made this decision, we had prepared ourselves for every possibility. As a matter of fact, one day after the broadcast, a group blocked our way. They showed me a photo from the broadcast and asked if it was me. When I agreed, they took me out of the vehicle and asked me whether I was fasting and whether I was Sunni or Alevi. I told them that I would not answer this question. I was kept blindfolded in the vehicle for a long time. I was taken from Jabla to Banyas. They took my phone and memory card. I was not subjected to anything physical, partly because I was from the Autonomous Administration. Because the authorities intervened. We returned from there, but people are still struggling to live in places where these groups are present. The lives of these people must be secured."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli