Lina Sinjab

A mother weeping the loss of her 22-year-old son Habib, who was shot dead. Susana Yousef describes to me the moments her son was killed.

A mother weeping the loss of her 22-year-old son Habib, who was shot dead. Susana Yousef describes to me the moments her son was killed.

Susana also lost her sister and two other members of her own family. The Alawite women surrounding Susana in the living room, soothing her pain, are angry. They tell me they are being persecuted. Habib's father, Man, is a retired army officer who now spends his time farming his land. He walks me through his olive grove that has become a cemetery. Ma'an has no faith in this government.

Susana also lost her sister and two other members of her own family. The Alawite women surrounding Susana in the living room, soothing her pain, are angry. They tell me they are being persecuted. Habib's father, Man, is a retired army officer who now spends his time farming his land. He walks me through his olive grove that has become a cemetery. Ma'an has no faith in this government.

He fears for their safety if they were to stay in power.

He fears for their safety if they were to stay in power.

In a nearby village, another massacre was reported. Ten bodies of government fighters were found, apparently killed by Assad loyalists. We followed the White Helmet Civil Defence, who headed to the scene. Everywhere we went around, town after town are deserted. It seems that, from what we've seen, that these soldiers were tied behind their back, shot dead and then thrown...

In a nearby village, another massacre was reported. Ten bodies of government fighters were found, apparently killed by Assad loyalists. We followed the White Helmet Civil Defence, who headed to the scene. Everywhere we went around, town after town are deserted. It seems that, from what we've seen, that these soldiers were tied behind their back, shot dead and then thrown...

towards the valley and the smell is reaching miles away. Saber is a government security officer who accompanied us to the scene. I asked him about the brutal attacks against the Alawite community.

towards the valley and the smell is reaching miles away. Saber is a government security officer who accompanied us to the scene. I asked him about the brutal attacks against the Alawite community.

The officer tells me they have already arrested some of the perpetrators. This is Al-Qusur neighborhood in the heart of Banias where most of the killing took place. People talk about a bloodbath against the Alawite. It is deserted and those who stayed behind are too scared to speak their mind. The fear is the country is entering an endless cycle of revenge.

The officer tells me they have already arrested some of the perpetrators. This is Al-Qusur neighborhood in the heart of Banias where most of the killing took place. People talk about a bloodbath against the Alawite. It is deserted and those who stayed behind are too scared to speak their mind. The fear is the country is entering an endless cycle of revenge.

In another Alawite village, on the outskirts of Latakia, there are similar scenes. Volunteers move between destroyed and looted buildings, handing out aid to the survivors. Abdullah Jaber is a neurology student. His home was burned down by government forces.

In another Alawite village, on the outskirts of Latakia, there are similar scenes. Volunteers move between destroyed and looted buildings, handing out aid to the survivors. Abdullah Jaber is a neurology student. His home was burned down by government forces.

You want to stay in Syria? Do you feel that there is a future for you?

You want to stay in Syria? Do you feel that there is a future for you?

There has been lots of efforts by the official authorities to contain the situation, to stop the violations, but also the interim president announced a committee to investigate the killing, whether it's conducted by remnants of the Assad regime or by members of the fighters or factions that are affiliated to the new authority.

There has been lots of efforts by the official authorities to contain the situation, to stop the violations, but also the interim president announced a committee to investigate the killing, whether it's conducted by remnants of the Assad regime or by members of the fighters or factions that are affiliated to the new authority.

And right now they say that it seems that the situation is, you know, under control or calming down, especially around Tartus and Latakia. But we're not quite sure if this whole operation is over yet.

And right now they say that it seems that the situation is, you know, under control or calming down, especially around Tartus and Latakia. But we're not quite sure if this whole operation is over yet.