Syria: BBC finds families sheltering at Russian airbase from sectarian attacks

Dalaal Mahna expressed her grief over the death of her son at the hands of militants. "My only son, only 25 years old," she said through tears, "They took him away in front of me and told me: 'We will kill him to break your heart.'" This loss has deeply impacted her life and her family's future.

That was the last time Dalaal saw her son. She said he was shot by the gunmen who kidnapped him. Dalaal comes from Syria's Alawite minority, which has been the target of sectarian violence since last week. The escalating tensions have created a dangerous environment for this community.

“Everyone knew he suffered from diabetes and anemia, but he was trying to live,” Dalaal said. The BBC team found Dalaal along with thousands of others seeking refuge at a remote Russian airbase on Syria's western coast. Reportedly, more than 1,400 civilians have been killed since March 6, most of whom are Alawites residing in Latakia and the neighboring Tartus, Hama, and Homs provinces. The sheer number of casualties highlights the severity of the conflict.

Dalaal is one of the few willing to tell us what happened. Her son, Amjad Katrawi, was, according to her, killed by militants. Last week, security forces launched an operation in the area in response to the growing insurgency of militants loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad – an Alawite whose regime was dominated by members of that sect. In the coastal town of Jableh, violence escalated after 13 security personnel were killed in a gunman ambush. This incident triggered further unrest and retaliation.

Gunmen loyal to a Sunni Islamic government replacing Assad are accused of carrying out retaliatory killings in Alawite-dominated communities following the attack. According to the UN Human Rights Office, entire families, including women and children, were killed in the following four days. On Wednesday, a spokesperson told reporters that the UN had verified 111 civilian deaths to date, but the actual number is believed to be much higher. He also added that many cases were summary executions, indicating a systematic targeting of civilians.

As the violence began, reinforcements and Sunni manpower poured into the area. On the highway, our team found a car riddled with bullets. It is unclear how many people died inside, or what their background was. But it is hard to imagine that anyone inside could have survived, given the extent of the damage.

The coastal highway has been secured and cleared by security forces after attacks by what officials described as remnants of the former regime. In the wake of the attacks, retaliatory acts against Alawites occurred. But our team, escorted by militants affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense, saw dozens of bodies still scattered in the bushes and in mass graves. The aftermath revealed a grim picture of the ongoing conflict and its impact on the civilian population.

Security sources told the BBC that not all of the Assad loyalists who launched the attack in Jableh were killed. Instead, they managed to retreat to nearby mountainous areas as security forces deployed massive reinforcements from across the country. "They all came from these villages," said Mahmoud Haiek, a soldier with the new government's Ministry of Defense stationed in Baniyas, in the Latakia countryside. "Everyone involved – they belong to these communities. But now, they have all left the area." The displacement of these individuals further destabilized the region.

"The area was chaotic. But, thank God, we managed to regain control of the situation. People are starting to return to their homes, and now, many are calling for the rest to be allowed back." Most of the villages in the area remain deserted. Fearing sectarian killings, residents fled to the mountains, where they have been sleeping in open areas for a week. The lack of security and basic necessities has created a humanitarian crisis.

In a village outside Baniyas, our team encountered a small group of men cautiously returning to check on their homes and shops. Wafik Ismail, an Alawite, said he was there when the attacks happened, but he was unwilling to elaborate. "Brother, I really can't say anything. I don't know. That's it... May God protect us from harm." His reluctance to speak highlights the climate of fear and distrust prevalent in the region.

In the countryside of Latakia, the control of the Syrian security forces ends, and the boundaries of the Russian military's Khmeimim Air Base begin. Thousands of Alawite families have taken refuge at this base to escape attacks from various factions in Syria. They are living in very harsh conditions. Dalaal said her son was killed here. Others there told us similar stories, underscoring the vulnerability of the displaced population.

Most families have lost someone: a son, a relative, or a neighbor. Another Alawite woman told us: "We need international protection to get out of what we are going through. We left our homes, we left everything, our livelihoods, we came here." The call for international intervention reflects the desperation and lack of security felt by these displaced families.

Few details have been disclosed about last Thursday's attacks and their significant sectarian impact. Syrian President Ahmed Shala'a, who led the rebel offensive that ousted Assad last December, acknowledged these impacts. Shala'a promised to hold the perpetrators accountable, even if they are his allies, saying "We will not accept any innocent blood being shed." However, few believe that the wounds these events have inflicted on the already scarred body of Syria will heal easily. The deep-seated divisions and ongoing violence make reconciliation a distant prospect.