On the morning of March 7, 2025, an armed group linked to Russian remnants launched a shocking attack in the village of Al-Mukhtairya, sparking a brutal wave of retaliation. This led to the tragic deaths of over 140 local residents who stayed home out of fear. At the same time, nearby villages like Shalfatia and Shir, close to the M4 Road, faced similar horrific attacks on unarmed civilians. More than 120 people, including Alawite women, children, young adults, and the elderly, were killed in these systematic massacres. Homes, cars, and shops were destroyed or looted, leaving the area in ruins and forcing many villagers to flee to remote forests and rural areas for safety.
These attacks were among the first major crimes on March 7. In Baniyas, especially in the Al Qusour and Al Murooji neighborhoods, entire families—women and children included—were massacred, losing their homes, vehicles, and businesses. Many residents have gone missing, and their whereabouts are still unknown. The violence has continued without help from public security, despite desperate pleas from civilians.
Heartbreakingly, professionals like doctors, engineers, teachers, and academics, along with the elderly, women, and children, have been killed in cruel ways—shot, stabbed, or burned.During this time, a security cordon was set up around Baniyas, trapping people and stopping them from escaping. The attackers have bragged about their actions, sharing videos and photos online that show their atrocities. As the killings went on, some residents in Central Baniyas who supported the opposition tried to stop the massacres but were met with gunfire and threats, forcing them to back off.
One of the worst incidents happened in the Al Qusour neighborhood of Baniyas, where many were killed just because of their religious background. Local reports suggest that government security forces dumped some bodies into the sea. On March 9, after two days of nonstop violence, public security finally stepped in to stop attacks, especially from groups coming from Idlib. These groups kept targeting people along the highway and in villages like Jableh, Hmeimim, Bassain, Ain al-Arous, Jarfas, Latakia, Sunobar, and Muzaria. Civilians were murdered in cold blood—shot, slaughtered, or run over by cars. The community lived in constant fear, with homes and bodies set on fire. Even burying the dead was banned, leaving families to keep their loved ones wrapped in blankets at home. In a desperate move, some shop owners wrote “SUNNI” on their stores to avoid being targeted, showing how deeply this violence is tied to religious differences.
This ongoing violence, destruction, and intimidation of minority religious groups in Syria is heartbreaking and devastating. I’ve included links to Facebook and Instagram pages where the perpetrators proudly display their brutal acts, boasting about killing innocent people just for their beliefs. I urgently need your help, as this crisis has gone on too long and seems to have been ignored by the United Nations and global leaders who can make a difference. Please act quickly and support us. Don’t overlook these ongoing atrocities—the innocent people of Syria need your help and solidarity now more than ever.