Syria: Islamic jihadis have murdered over 600 Alawites, Druze, Murshidis, Ismailis, and Christians since January 1

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is an avowedly Islamic group. It aims to implement Islamic law. And it is brutal and violent toward those whom it considers unbelievers and heretical Muslims.

“Kill them wherever you find them.” — Qur’an 2:191

“Kill them wherever you find them.” — Qur’an 4:89

“Kill them wherever you find them.” — Qur’an 4:91

“Kill the polytheists wherever you find them.” — Qur’an 9:5

“Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are ruthless against the unbelievers and merciful among themselves.” — Qur’an 48:29

“Hundreds of Syrians killed in sectarian attacks since start of 2026,” The Cradle, April 25, 2026:

Since the beginning of the year, nearly 400 Syrians have become victims of sectarian-motivated killings in the governorates of Hama and Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on 24 April, as the country’s minority religious groups continue to be targeted by militants affiliated with the government in Damascus.

Overall, some 614 Syrians suffered violent deaths since the start of 2026, as part of a “widening circle of violence and insecurity in various parts of the country,” SOHR stated.

Of those 614 killings in Hama and Homs, some 387 have resulted from “sectarian affiliation.” Both Hama and Homs governorates have mixed populations of Alawites and Sunnis.

Since ousting the government of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, self-proclaimed President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda commander, has filled the country’s security forces with Sunni extremists from the ranks of his militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of ISIS.

Sharaa’s security forces and affiliated extremist factions have primarily targeted the Alawite religious minority, whom they blame for supporting Assad and whom they view as apostates deserving to be killed and their property taken, based on the religious ideology of the medieval Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah.

Nevertheless, Sharaa’s forces have also targeted Syria’s other minority groups, such as the Druze, Murshidis, Ismailis, and Christians.

“The methods of violence include summary executions and shootings carried out by unknown gunmen targeting former security and military figures, as well as civilians, amid clear indications of revenge and, in some cases, sectarian motives,” SOHR noted.

“These operations are causing panic among the population, as many feel unsafe while moving around the city streets or even within their neighborhoods,” the rights monitor added.

Among the victims this year are 28 women and 14 children.

The SOHR warned that these incidents form a systematic pattern threatening the stability and security of the country, and called on Syrian authorities to strengthen investigation efforts, hold those involved accountable, and protect civilians from the ongoing cycle of violence.

The killings follow a familiar pattern. Unknown gunmen on motorcycles enter Alawite neighborhoods, opening fire on unsuspecting men, women, and children as they sit on their balconies, walk or play in the streets, or work in their shops….