Alevi associations speak out from Istanbul: 'Systematic massacre continues in Syria'

Jihadist HTS forces, which overthrew the 61-year-old Baath regime in Syria, have increased their attacks on Alevis living in Latakia in the northwest of the country. With the intensification of operations in regions where Alevis live, numerous incidents such as executions, torture, and kidnappings are taking place. 

Alevi organizations gathered in Istanbul to protest the ongoing attacks. When the press statement intended to be held in front of the Syrian Consulate in Şişli was blocked by the Şişli District Governorate's decision of a "ban on demonstrations, marches, and protests," the crowd met at the entrance of Maçka Democracy Park. 

According to reports by Ebru Çelik from BirGün, the gathered crowd chanted, "Murderous HTS, collaborator AKP." Sevim Yalıncakoğlu from the Yalıncak Sultan Alevi Culture Association read the joint statement, which was also attended by CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik. 

The statement included the following remarks: "Since the change of administration that took place in Syria on December 8, 2024, a systematic and conscious massacre against Alevis has been continuing! Since December 8, Alevi villages in the countryside of Idlib, Homs, Hama, and Latakia have been under siege, and the people are facing the threat of death. While the Alevi population is being specifically targeted through announcements made from mosques, the attacks have reached a peak. Kidnapped women are being intimidated with threats of rape, young people are being disappeared after being tortured, villages are being burned and destroyed, and unsolved murders have become commonplace."

Stating, "This is a genocide. The perpetrators of this cruelty are known," Yalıncakoğlu said, "The interim government, its leader Jolani, and Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist gangs, primarily Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been carrying out massacres against Alevis, Christians, and different faith groups for years. The interim government established in Syria, its so-called leader Jolani, and these gangs have been nurtured, armed, and trained with the support of Western imperialist powers. Today in Syria, in Alevi villages, not only the bloodthirsty militants of these gangs are responsible, but also all the states that feed them, provide them with logistics, and create political ground for them."

Stating that "'Safe zone' policies in Syria and 'Assad remnants' rhetoric are actually an ethnic cleansing plan targeting Alevis and other minorities," Yalıncakoğlu continued the statement as follows:

"Military and intelligence elements in the region support the movements of these gangs and deepen the fragmentation of Syria. Media and international institutions ignore these massacres and distort the truth with an imperialist propaganda machine. Those who speak of the persecution experienced by the Alevi people are either silenced or discredited through black propaganda. Even today, they continue to portray these murderous hordes as 'moderate opposition.' We cry out. Jolani, his administration, and those who support them are directly responsible for these massacres."

At the end of the statement, a black wreath was left at the entrance of Maçka Democracy Park for the Alevis massacred in Syria.