A recent massacre in Syria perpetrated by Turkey-backed HTS highlights the brutality of jihadist forces, drawing little concern from the Western media. Thousands of victims suffered to inhumane treatment, yet there were no significant international calls for action. This article examines the disconnect in Western perceptions, the accountability of external influences, and the enduring cycle of violence faced by minorities under radical Islamist governance.
Recent events in Syria have escalated to unprecedented levels of brutality, executed by Turkey-backed jihadists, sparking little concern in the West. Over 1,000 people were reportedly slaughtered by the new Syrian security forces, with mass executions mirroring prior atrocities committed by groups like Hamas on October 7, 2023. Victims were subjected to inhumane treatment, including being forced to pledge loyalty while being filmed during their execution.
The response from the international community has been stark; there have been no significant protests, campaigns, or calls for action regarding the situation in Syria. This contrasts sharply with past reactions to similar atrocities, perplexing many observers who note the apparent disparity in media coverage between these events and those involving other groups, highlighted by the phrase, “No Jews, no news.”
The suffering of Syrian civilians predates the civil war that began in 2011, as they faced immense cruelty from various radical Islamist factions backed by nations including Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Qatar. Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, took control. This government was not elected democratically but arose from a jihadist faction with ties to al-Qaeda, generating concerns for both Syria’s minorities and Israeli security.
Initially, HTS attempted to present a reformed image to the West, with Sharaa appearing in interviews to project intentions toward democracy. However, this narrative shattered when HTS forces massacred 830 Alawites in 48 hours, revealing their true face of brutal oppression.
Similar narratives occurred during the transition from former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi to his successor, Masoud Pezeshkian, the latter framed as a “reformist” yet maintaining the oppressive policies of his predecessor. Current Western media has become complicit in downplaying HTS’s brutality, despite its violent response to an Alawite ambush that claimed numerous lives.
The violence disproportionately affects Alawites, who account for about 10% of Syria’s population, alongside Druze, Kurds, and Christians fearing the new regime’s authoritarian tendencies. Atrocities by these jihadists must not be dismissed; Syria continues to be a war-torn nation trading one tyrant for another.
Alarmingly, Alawite leaders have begun calling for Israeli military intervention following perceived betrayals by Russia. This unexpected request suggests a dire need for stability amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with multiple fronts, primarily involving Iran.
Nations like Iran, Russia, and Turkey are culpable for Syria’s devastation, focusing solely on solidifying their anti-Israel alliances rather than humanitarian concerns for the Syrian populace. A clear disconnect exists between the Western perception of these conflicts and the harsh realities faced by those in regions governed by radical jihadism.
The prevalent unawareness in the West about the brutalities committed by jihadists leads to misguided sympathies towards such groups, enabling further oppression in the Middle East. Hamas and HTS, both rooted in genocidal ideology, provide a stark reminder that radical Islamism yields only chaos and destruction, ultimately sacrificing the wellbeing of its own population for ideological gains.
The writer serves as the CEO and co-founder of Social Lite Creative, specializing in geopolitics through digital marketing.
In summary, the recent brutality in Syria, particularly the violent acts committed by HTS, highlights a troubling trend of Western media downplaying jihadist atrocities. Despite their origins in terror, the façade of moderate governance distracts from the severe consequences faced by minorities. The responsibility for Syria’s chaos lies with external influences, while the disconnect in Western perceptions allows jihadist violence to be underestimated, calling for a reevaluation of responses to such regimes. Ultimately, there is no justification for jihadist violence; the cycle of brutality perpetuates only suffering and loss for the innocent.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
