Syria has plunged into deeper chaos following the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, now at the helm. The overthrow of Bashar Assad has led to severe violence and persecution, especially against minority groups.
Fox News reported that the situation began to deteriorate when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of al-Qaeda and ISIS, seized power. This takeover confirmed the fears previously expressed by Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, during her Senate confirmation hearing.
Gabbard had warned of such an extremist takeover, criticizing the U.S. past policy towards Islamist forces in Syria.
Gabbard, appointed by President Donald Trump, had been vocal against the cozy relationship some U.S. leaders had with Islamist extremists whom they termed as "rebels."
Her comments during the Senate hearing on January 30, 2025, highlighted a deep-seated issue with foreign policy directions and their implications on regional stability.
Following the takeover, reports from Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, indicated that over 340 civilians, mostly from the Alawite community, were killed by Syrian security forces and allied gunmen. This spree of violence occurred within just two days, marking one of the deadliest phases of the conflict.
The violence specifically targeted minority communities, with the Alawite and Christian populations bearing the brunt of this hostility. In the village of Sahlab, notable Alawite figures such as 86-year-old cleric Shaaban Mansour and his son were brutally murdered.
A distressing aspect of the violence was the treatment and executions meted out to these communities. Witnesses reported Islamists entering homes, killing residents, and looting possessions. The level of fear and insecurity among the minorities spiked, with no signs of respite from the new regime or international bodies.
The international community has faced challenges in addressing the new leadership dynamics in Syria. While some United Nations and European officials have been attempting to establish diplomatic ties with al-Sharaa's government, the ongoing violent acts have complicated these efforts.
Despite these attempts, the UN has expressed deep concerns, especially following attacks by HTS under the guise of combating remnants of Assad's regime.
The situation remains tense, with varying responses from global actors on how to deal with a government that has obvious ties to terrorist organizations but holds control over Syria.
Israel's stance has been particularly firm, with Defense Minister Israel Katz criticizing HTS leader al-Sharaa for shedding his previous moderate image to reveal "his true face: A jihadist terrorist of the al-Qaeda school."
In response to escalating threats from the new Syrian regime, Israel has deployed forces along its borders.
These military measures reflect growing regional insecurities and the potential for wider conflicts if the HTS continues to consolidate power violently.
As the situation develops, the plight of Syria’s minority communities remains dire. The international community's response to these atrocities will be critical in shaping the future of Syria and its people amid this new and volatile chapter.