Tulsi Gabbard’s warnings about Al Qaeda-linked forces massacring Syrian civilians have come true as nearly 1,000 Christians and Alawites have been killed in the deadliest violence since Assad’s fall.
Quick Takes
- Over 830 civilians have been killed in Syria in the past 72 hours, with the majority being from the Alawite minority community
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had previously warned about terrorist takeovers if Assad’s regime collapsed
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist group and former Al Qaeda affiliate, has gained control in Syria
- Reports indicate executions by firing squad targeting Alawite and Christian minorities
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has blamed “radical Islamic terrorists” for the ongoing violence
Syria Descends into Sectarian Violence
The Syrian coastal regions of Tartus and Latakia have become the epicenter of what observers call the deadliest violence since President Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least 830 civilians have been killed, with the death toll expected to rise as more areas become accessible. The violence has claimed more than 1,300 lives total when including security forces and militants. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for peace amidst disturbing reports of executions and bodies lying in streets across affected areas.
The violence appears to be largely sectarian in nature, with the majority of victims being from the Alawite community that had previously held power under Assad’s rule. SOHR has described the killings as “the largest collective act of revenge,” noting widespread reports of women and children being executed by firing squad. Sunni gunmen are reportedly initiating revenge killings against Alawites, highlighting deep divisions that have long simmered beneath Syria’s conflict.
Radical Islamic extremists are rounding up and murdering Christians in Syria
Where are all the self proclaimed human rights organizations??? pic.twitter.com/eUAqPFQspQ
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 9, 2025
Gabbard’s Warnings Prove Prophetic
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had previously sounded alarms about the potential for terrorist groups to fill any power vacuum created by Assad’s removal. Her warnings now appear prophetic as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda, has established control over significant territories. The group is led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who reportedly has been implicated in the deaths of American soldiers.
“I have no love for Assad or any dictator. I just hate al-Qaeda. I hate that our leaders cozy up to Islamist extremists, calling them ‘rebels’, as Jake Sullivan said to Hillary Clinton, ‘al Qaeda is on our side in Syria.’ Syria is now controlled by al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, led by an Islamist Jihadist who danced in the streets on 9/11, and who was responsible for the killing of many American soldiers,” Gabbard said during her confirmation hearing.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has also drawn attention to al-Julani’s attempts to present a moderate image to the international community, stating that the HTS leader has now “taken off the mask and exposed his true face: A jihadist terrorist of the Al-Qaeda school who is committing horrifying acts against a civilian population.” The situation has grown increasingly dire for religious and ethnic minorities who have historically been protected under Assad’s secular, albeit authoritarian, regime.
Minorities Under Threat
Reports from the region indicate that entire families are being executed by Islamist forces, with at least one account describing the murder of an Alawite cleric and his son. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned the violence, specifically blaming “radical Islamic terrorists” for the atrocities. Meanwhile, President al-Sharaa has vowed to “pursue the remnants of the fallen regime” and restrict weapons to state control, though his government’s ability to assert authority remains limited. The Syrian Presidency has announced the formation of an independent national committee to investigate the events, but fighting continues across the northwest coast as armed Assad loyalists maintain control of some territory.
International Response and Regional Stability
The Biden administration supported Assad’s removal, despite many like Gabbard sounding the alarm about extremist groups filling the resulting power vacuum. Former President Joe Biden acknowledged the complex reality in December, stating, “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.” The situation underscores the challenges of American foreign policy in the Middle East, where American intervention often empower extremist factions.
Alawite community members are reportedly seeking American support, fearing for their lives amid what they describe as ongoing mass killings. Federico Jachetti, Syria country office director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the situation as “a grim reminder that the situation in the country remains fragile.” With verified videos showing bodies in Latakia and continued military activity including explosions and gunfire, Syria’s prospects for stability appear increasingly distant as sectarian violence threatens to engulf more of the war-torn nation.
