BINEVŞ STÊRK

 

Amed – On January 5th and 6th, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists launched an attack on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, attempting to commit massacres. However, the residents confronted these attacks with remarkable unity and resistance.

Meanwhile, the international community remained silent regarding these events, a stance that angered the Kurds. Various parties expressed their rejection of this position, including journalist Nilgün Mete, a Turkmen and Alawite who has worked since 1993 as a news anchor and editor for several radio and television stations and news agencies.

"Imperialism is pushing peoples to fight each other."

Nilgün Mete, who has closely followed developments in northern and eastern Syria, pointed out that the massacres targeting Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and other groups reveal a brutal reality. "In Syria, massacres are being committed against Alawites, perpetrated by Salafist groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and they never stop. We all know that the wars and infighting in the Middle East are instigated to serve the interests of America and Israel, while pushing peoples to fight each other. It seems that bloodshed and destruction will never leave this region."

Mete recalled the events of what was called the "Arab Spring", that extended into Syria in 2011. She explained that Israel has its own project, the "Greater Israeli Project," emphasizing that "the United States is acting in the Middle East in accordance with Israel's interests." The attacks launched on Syria or other Arab countries are part of this project. “In other words, the Middle East is being redrawn, with Arab states being fragmented into smaller entities, which explains the continuation of conflicts and wars. Today, at the heart of these conflicts and massacres, women and children are the most targeted group.”

“America and Israel organized Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.”

Nilgün Mete recalled the events of 2011, when attacks were launched on Syria by groups supported by the United States and Israel. “What a tragedy! The Druze were targeted, the Yazidis were targeted, and the Alawites were killed. We know that thousands of Yazidi women were displaced, raped, and enslaved, and that inhumane decisions were imposed upon them. Undoubtedly, Alawite women also faced displacement. And this situation continues to this day.”

She explained that that phase specifically targeted the Alawites because of their closeness to Assad. “Islamic and jihadist groups, with the support of international powers, committed widespread massacres. Many were killed simply because they were Alawites. Today, when we look at the reality, the overthrow of Assad and the rise to power of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists, which was organized with American and Israeli support, led to utter chaos. Instead of achieving stability, the chaos worsened and the massacres intensified. In other words, when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham came to power and Assad fell, the Alawite community was well aware that massacres would be committed against them.”

"Alawites in Syria live in isolation."

Nilgün Mete explained that Alawites in Syria continue to live in profound isolation. With the rise of HTS jihadists to power and with Israel's occupation of parts of Syria, the attacks on them began. "Latakia, which has a large Alawite population, witnessed bloody massacres," she said.

She added, "In villages and cities, women going to work and Alawites going about their daily lives are displaced and killed. Young men, men, and children are killed simply because they are Alawites. They are being exterminated because of their Alawite faith. Undoubtedly, the Kurds were also targeted. Since 2011, the Kurds in that region have been subjected to significant targeting. In Kobani, the Kurds fought numerous battles, and women were also direct targets. They put up a great resistance, and today in Rojava, and especially in Kobani, a different system has emerged, a richer and more diverse life."

"Al-Julani, who was labeled a terrorist, is now in a leadership position."

She emphasized that the Syrian Foreign Minister and the rest of the ministers all belong to jihadist groups. "They are a group that wages war with a terrifying spirit and kills people, yet they have become ministers in the government. Al-Julani, who was wanted worldwide as a terrorist, a bloodthirsty killer, has been placed in a leadership position."

She pointed out that Israel and Syria were long-standing enemies and had no direct relations. "There is no doubt that Assad's rapprochement with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon angered Israel, and Syria completely refused to make any concessions on this issue. For fifty years, and with the collapse of Assad, Israel has become present in Syria. Israel has clear plans and a specific goal, which is to expand its territory and borders to become Greater Israel. This is certain, and to achieve it, the country must be destroyed and fragmented."

Regarding the silence of women's organizations in Turkey and elsewhere, "Women's organizations have not taken to the streets, nor have they issued statements on this issue. Even human rights organizations have not issued statements or organized impactful events."

She stressed the necessity for both the United Nations and the European Parliament to raise their voices strongly against these violations and massacres.

She noted that some members of the Turkish Parliament, particularly Alevi members, have raised these massacres within Parliament, but their voices have remained limited, and female members have not taken concrete steps. She pointed out that some members within the DEM party have addressed the issue, but without significant impact, asking, "Should Alevi women be the only ones to raise their voices? This is not an issue for one particular group; it is an issue that should be everyone's responsibility."

"We cannot remain silent."

She emphasized that what is happening in Syria is genocide, stressing the need to raise our voices against it, regardless of who the perpetrators are. "We must take a collective stand. We cannot remain silent. How can our consciences remain unmoved by these atrocities?"

Nilgün Mete explained that Alawites have always been at the forefront against crimes against humanity, whether they affect Armenian, Kurdish, or any other group. They participate in demonstrations and provide support wherever they deem it necessary.

She stressed that what is needed today is for all communities and nations to take action and demonstrate a clear stance against the ongoing genocides by organizing demonstrations and issuing statements—something that has not yet happened. “So what do the Alawites see? They see a shameful silence. Above all, a state of vigilance must be cultivated so that there is awareness and understanding. Have others not yet grasped the magnitude of the atrocity? Have they not seen the crimes being committed before the eyes of the world? It is a great shame, and we have become disillusioned.”

She believes that one of the reasons for the silence regarding the massacres against the Alawites is the misconception that they are “supporters of Assad.” She emphasized that this perception is distorted, pointing out that Assad did not grant the Alawites special treatment; rather, under his regime, they were in a poor position and deprived of the most basic rights. “The Alawites were also left unemployed and received no privileges. There is a misconception that some believe will be interpreted as support for Assad. But this is a great trap and a grave mistake.”

"Your agency plays a vital role in raising awareness."

She added, "The Alawites want their problems to be understood for what they truly are. Intellectuals in Turkey are addressing the issue in the same way. Similar frustrations exist in Syria and other countries, and these need to be overcome. Perhaps these press reports will spark a sense of awakening. It is essential that these reports be published, and your agency undoubtedly plays a crucial role in this regard. This news will increase public awareness and perhaps even awaken the silent majority."

Nilgün Mete criticized the silence of the feminist movement in Turkey, asserting that it, and other women's movements, could raise their voices. She reminded everyone that the Alawites in Syria are secular, urging them not to be afraid to defend them: "There must be a clear stance against genocide, and there should be no fear in defending the Alawites. This is a call to everyone. Rape and violence against women in Syria cannot be reduced to being merely war crimes; they are also crimes against humanity because they are direct attacks on women."

She added, "Women are the ones who rebuild life after wars end; they are the ones who make peace and renew hope. Therefore, they become the primary target in conflicts, as men seek to eliminate and break them because they believe that without women, a new life or a new world cannot be built. When women are exterminated or excluded from society, life itself is destroyed, and this is reflected in the children, who in turn become victims of genocide."

"We must all raise our voices against all atrocities."

Regarding whether accusing those who speak about the massacres of the Alawites of engaging in "identity politics" and attempting to silence them constitutes a denial of the massacres, she said, "It is unjust to stigmatize those who speak about the massacres of the Alawites in this way; this is a grave injustice. If the Alawites are subjected to genocide, they will certainly rise up against it and resist these massacres and genocide. The same applies to the Kurds; if they are targeted for genocide, they will rise up to confront it, appeal to the world, and strive to stop these crimes and attacks."

She continued, "What does it mean to reduce this to 'identity politics'? Such statements and positions are superficial and insensitive, and constitute a dangerous deviation. Therefore, we must all raise our voices against every false identity and against all forms of brutality. If genocide is committed against the Kurds, the entire society, Turks and others, must stand against it. A unified and organized stance is required to stop these bloody attacks."

Nilgün Mete emphasized that Israel's demand for territorial expansion has devastating consequences, stressing the need to stop this bloodshed. She asserted that the world is obligated to demonstrate a clear and decisive position, noting that predatory capitalism is spreading everywhere and that American imperialism is acting in accordance with Israel's interests, especially in the Middle East.

She also explained that the AKP government is incapable of pursuing a peaceful foreign policy, pointing out that it actively supported and allied itself with the HTS jihadists in Syria. She added that the party in Turkey does not treat the Alevis fairly, as they are excluded from society and their demands are ignored, while the government remains silent in the face of the crimes committed by HTS jihadists. Which targets Alawites, killing and attacking their women in Syria.

Regarding what can be done about this situation, she said, "Parliament and political parties, especially the opposition, must exert serious pressure on the AKP government on this issue. Members of Parliament, especially female MPs, can organize impactful events and launch eye-catching activities. Even within the ruling party itself, there are female MPs, as well as in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); a state of vigilance must be created among them as well."

Attacks on Aleppo

Regarding the attacks launched on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo by HTS jihadists and Turkish mercenaries, which met with fierce resistance, she said, "Syria has practically become a collapsing hell. During a war that has raged for 13 years, hundreds of thousands have lost their lives; the number is said to have reached nearly 600,000, most of them women and children. Millions more have been forced to flee and seek refuge, from Turkey to various other countries, where they have endured harsh conditions and worked for meager wages."

She added, "Why did the attack on Aleppo begin? It is a city with a large Kurdish population, and its neighborhoods are predominantly Kurdish. Today, two of these neighborhoods are under heavy weapons attack, with the Syrian Interim Government forces launching assaults there, resulting in the deaths of civilians."

Nilgün Mete recalled the incident of a Kurdish female fighter being thrown from a building by HTS jihadists, emphasizing that this crime left deep pain for everyone. "It is essential that everyone takes a clear stance against these violations. People are being killed for no reason. I believe that the only way to truly liberate Syria is through peaceful negotiations and dialogue. The United States, Israel, Turkey, and European leaders must take this responsibility seriously. With their support, a provisional government was established in Syria, and the war was imposed from above. When they tried to impose their will by force, they were labeled terrorists, and then they became responsible for the provisional government. Therefore, dialogue must begin."

"The Syrian people must make their own decisions."

In concluding her assessment, journalist Nilgün Mete addressed the March 10, 2025 agreement, noting that it has not yet been implemented. "If the interim government continues its attacks and waging war, there will be no agreement, no peace, nothing. It is clear that peace in Syria is impossible with the current regime and the interim government. What can truly liberate Syria is a just system and fair governance. Peace cannot be built with extremist religious organizations and radical ideologies."

She emphasized that "the only way to save the Syrian people is through democracy. This war and this conflict must end, and the bloodshed must stop. The Syrian people must make their own decisions."