Sectarian Strife in Syria: The Alawite Ordeal

Masked assailants targeted Alawite families in Damascus amid sectarian upheaval in Syria. Over two dozen men were detained, with some confirmed dead. Witnesses allege blind targeting based on sect affiliations. The Syrian government faces scrutiny over its handling of rising sectarian violence and unchecked violence.

In the dead of night on March 6, Syria's capital Damascus was rocked by an assault on Alawite families, carried out by masked gunmen, witnesses report. Accusations have surfaced regarding sectarian targeting, with at least 25 men taken from their homes without warning.

The siege coincided with insurgence-related violence in Syria's coastal regions, prompting fears of escalating sectarian tensions nationwide. President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration attempts to quell the unrest but faces challenges as accounts of unreported raids and abductions emerge from witnesses, raising alarms over unchecked violence and accountability.

The haunting stories of families left in the dark about the fate of their loved ones underscore a cycle of impunity. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, urge a thorough investigation, as reverberations of fear and distrust ripple through the Alawite community in Damascus and beyond.

(With inputs from agencies.)