Hundreds of Alawites killed. Fr Karakach: ‘Too many interests, desperation reigns again'

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights speaks of over 500 victims in the last two days. The testimony of the Franciscan parish priest of Aleppo: ‘Despite the countless voices calling for a government that represents all components of Syrian society, no concrete action is seen. The weapons threaten to destroy what remains of our hope’.

The latest news from the coastal region of Syria, which has relapsed into violence this week, is dramatic. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - the UK-based NGO that has been constantly denouncing the massacres carried out by Assad's army since 2011 - reports that ‘311 Alawite civilians have been killed by security forces and allied groups’ since the start of the fighting on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 524 people, including 213 security personnel and militiamen. With teh unfolding of this dramatic situation in Syria, AsiaNews publishes the testimony of Father Bahjat Karakach, Franciscan, parish priest of the church of St Francis of Assisi in Aleppo.

Dear friends,

I'm writing to you after almost a month to let you know what we're experiencing in Syria at the moment. In fact, since 6th March the situation has seriously worsened, and today the atmosphere in the country is again one of desperation.

In the last few days, tension has increased in various areas, both in the south in the city of Suwaida, and in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, both with a Druze majority; but also in the coastal cities with an Alawite majority, especially in Jable. Several acts of violence have been recorded, until two days ago when an armed ‘resistance’ broke out against the official forces, rejected by a large part of the population, for alleged acts of violence and revenge against civilians from the minorities. On the other hand, there is talk of a real military action organised by supporters of the old regime, supported by regional forces that would have an interest in creating and maintaining a state of chaos in Syria: On the one hand, Israel is advancing into Syrian territory and taking it over, trying to present itself as the defender of the Druze against government forces, considered ‘terrorist militias’; on the other hand, Iran seems unwilling to accept the loss of the power it had in Syria at the time of Assad; without forgetting the role of Russia, which remains ambiguous.

Once again the Syrians are on the brink of a civil war, so we are really worried. Some voices accuse the international community of not fully assuming its responsibilities towards the Middle East in general and Syria in particular, which remains a land where the great powers clash, each one trying to secure a slice of the pie. Other rumours accuse the new Al-Sharaa government that, despite its fine promises, has so far not taken serious action to guarantee public and fair trials for war criminals, a fact that has given free reign to those who want to take justice into their own hands and allowed those who want to organise themselves to ‘liberate’ Syria again to act undisturbed! Another fault of the new president is that he is maintaining the status quo of his government, formed immediately after the fall of the old regime and which remains in office beyond the fixed term of three months. This government brings together people with little experience in politics, all belonging to the former Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and with a strongly religious political ideology.

Despite countless rumours, both from abroad and within the country, that a government representing all components of Syrian society is essential to maintain stability in Syria, no concrete actions have been taken in this direction so far.

They wanted to please the observers with a half day of ‘national dialogue’, in which the fate of the country should have been decided, a conference that drew up a final document that remains for now ink on paper. Everyone was waiting for 1st March, the date on which a new transitional government should have been formed, a missed objective that has left many disappointed, while the Syrian people are waiting for a clear word from their authorities, a word that explains what they have in mind. Unfortunately, the rulers continue to treat the people as a ‘flock’ and not as a true partner. This silence, barely endured, is broken only by the weapons that threaten to destroy what remains of our hope.

Here the people are tired and we wouldn't know what to say or how to instil courage to face what is to come... So I ask you to pray for us, we need it so much, let us raise our prayers to the good Lord who knows how to work miracles.

* priest of the church of St Francis of Assisi in Aleppo