Syria’s Christian and Alawite minority populations are facing one of its most violent periods in recent history as the ruling Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) aligned with the Syrian government has reportedly filmed themselves beating and slaughtering Alawite and Christian communities.  

The ongoing violence, which erupted late last week, has forced thousands—including Christians and Alawites—to flee to nearby mountains for safety.

Since the violence erupted last week, more than 1,000 people have been killed, including 745 from Syria’s Christian minority and Alawite sect, 125 from Syria's government forces, and 148 pro-Assad militants, according to Newsweek.  

The conflict is the deadliest Syria has seen since longtime President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power three months ago. Some civilians have been dragged from their homes and shot at point-blank range while others were bloodied and battered by branches and sticks, the Daily Mail reported.

Religious leaders from Syria’s three main Christian churches—the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic Churches—issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning the ongoing bloodshed. They denounced the "massacres targeting innocent civilians" and called for "an immediate end to these horrific acts, which stand in stark opposition to all human and moral values."

The violence began in the Alawite coastal region of Jableh when government forces attempted to detain a suspect but were ambushed by pro-Assad fighters. Revenge attacks in Alawite-majority areas have further escalated the crisis, with hundreds of deaths documented.

Only around 300,000 Christians remain in the country, however, with Alawites no longer in power and radical Islamist factions leading the government, targeted killings of Christians have been reported, especially in Latakia.

The US has condemned the recent massacres. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Sunday, saying, "The United States condemns the radical Islamist terrorists, including foreign jihadis, that murdered people in western Syria in recent days. The United States stands with Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities, and offers its condolences to the victims and their families. Syria's interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these massacres against Syria's minority communities accountable.