Is al-Jolani seeking national unity or sectarian carnage?

Pars Today- Reuters has studied carnage of Alawite civilians in Syria by al-Jolani government.

Six months after the beginning of al-Jolani rule in Syria, Reuters has announced in a report that 1500 Alawite civilians were killed in March by the advocates of the transitional government. According to Pars Today, the victims were targeted only because of their name or religion and included women, children and elderly.

At first, the number of victims was announced 1000, but the Syrian Human Rights Monitor had announced the number of civilian dead as 745, together with 125 security forces and 148 pro-Assad fighters. Both reports prove one thing: These murders were based on sectarian or regional differences.

More precise researches of Reuters revealed direct involvement of several armed units affiliated to al-Jolani government. This government is ruled by the former members of the terrorist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Although this al-Qaeda affiliated group was dissolved, it is still in the UN list of sanctions. The group's ringleader, Ahmad al-Shara' toppled the government in Damascus and took power in January.

These crimes have taken place at least in 40 villages or districts with Alawite inhabitants. The perpetrators of these crimes were composed of incongruous groups: former members of HTS, Sunni brigades who have just joined the new government and some units from the Syrian interior ministry. Some of these forces, such as Osman brigade and Unit 400, had already been accused of serious violation of human rights.

In many regions, the assailants enter with lists of names and target pro-Assad forces even those whom had just been granted amnesty. According to the information of Reuters, some families were completely executed only for having a specific surname. These carnages were very violent: execution, mutilation, public humiliation and taking films of scenes. Many women, children, elderly and disabled lost their lives during these crimes.

In some regions, Alawite villages have been evacuated completely and have been replaced by Sunni families. The assailants keep asking: "Are you Alawite or Sunni?"

Al-Jolani had called on Alawites to put down their arms and surrender before it is too late, but the massacre of Alawites is still happening in spite of al-Jolani's claim for "National Unity".

RM/ME