Statement by our Peoples and Faiths Commission:
In Syria, radical groups derived from ISIS and operating under the umbrella of HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) have escalated their actions. Leaving Turkish-controlled Idlib and advancing toward Damascus on December 8, these groups—alongside the potential collapse of the Baath regime—have brought the war in the Middle East to a new and dangerous dimension, threatening the lives of diverse peoples and faith communities.
The statements in the past years by HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, openly declaring that there is no place for Alawites, Christians, or other minorities in Syria, have generated deep fear and concern among all communities in the region. These words have tragically manifested in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, forced to flee their homes due to the war's devastating impact. Communities such as Arab Alawites, Kurds, Syriacs, Greek Orthodox Christians, Greek Catholics, and others face significant threats.
Additionally, reports indicate that the Syrian National Army (SNA), directly backed by Turkey’s AKP government, has committed atrocities against Alawites in the country. Tens of thousands of Alawites have been forced to flee their homes, fearing for their safety.
In the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Kurds and other communities have suffered heavy losses due to attacks and bombardments by SNA factions. Civilians in these regions have been subjected to massacres.
Amid the destruction, fear, and anxiety caused by the war in Syria, hate speech and targeted attacks against many communities and faith groups—particularly Alawites, Syriacs, Greek Orthodox Christians, Greek Catholics, and Yazidis—have intensified. In Turkiye, insults and threats directed at Alawites and other minorities have become widespread on social media. The authorities’ silence in the face of these hate crimes has emboldened aggressors. Responsibility for any attacks that may arise in this atmosphere of hatred lies squarely with those who ignore or tolerate hate crimes.
As the DEM Party, we reaffirm our commitment to resisting all forces that threaten the safety of Arab Alawites, Kurds, Levantines, Syriacs, Yazidis, Druze, Ismailis, Imamis, Assyrians, Turkmens, Armenians, Chechens, and other communities in Syria. We urgently call upon the international community to take action to end this devastation and ensure the peaceful coexistence of all peoples. Every effort must be made to prevent potential massacres targeting Syria’s diverse communities and faiths.
DEM Party Peoples and Faiths Commission
14 December 2024