CHP leader urges Turkish gov’t to act on fears of massacre against Syrian Alawites

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Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel on March 7 expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence in Syria, particularly between alleged pro-Bashar al-Assad armed groups and forces affiliated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

"We are closely and sorrowfully following the recent events in Syria," Özel said in a statement on social media. "The false sense of triumph that the government has been promoting regarding Syria is now unraveling, as clashes reignite. The rise in civilian casualties and the fear of massacres against minorities, particularly the Alawites in and around Latakia, are causing great concern among our citizens."

Özel urged the Turkish government to take action to prevent further civilian deaths.

"Turkey has been the second most affected country after Syria since the war began in 2011," he said and added, "To prevent further deepening of the conflict, our country must stand in solidarity with all Syrians.”

Özel mentioned that they have been following the concerns of Turkey’s Alevi citizens whose relatives were in Syria’s conflict zones.

“We call on the Turkish government to take a more active role and to engage in effective diplomatic efforts with the Damascus administration to prevent further civilian losses," he underscored.

What happened?

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that more than 180 people had been killed in two days of violence in the coastal region of western Syria, which is heavily populated by members of the Alawite minority.

They included at least two dozen male residents of the Alawite town of Al Mukhtareyah killed by gunmen on March 7, the Observatory and two Alawite activists said, citing contacts in the region and video footage from the scene.

In his first comments on the violence, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said government forces would pursue "remnants" of the ousted Bashar al Assad government and bring them to trial. He also said those who assault civilians would be held accountable.

Syrian authorities said the violence began when “remnants loyal to Assad” launched a deadly and well-planned attack on their forces on March 6.

Alawite activists say their community has been subjected to violence and attacks, particularly in rural Homs and Latakia, since Assad was overthrown in December after decades of repressive family rule and civil war.

While Sharaa has pledged to run Syria in an inclusive way, no meetings have been declared between him and senior Alawite figures, in contrast to members of other minority groups.

Turkey, a close ally of Syria's new government, also stated its support for Damascus, saying, "The tension in and around Latakia, as well as the targeting of security forces, could undermine the efforts to lead Syria into the future in unity and solidarity."

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