While Assad had many faults, he did protect the Christian minority in Syria. However, as noted by commentator Tucker Carlson, as the civil war progressed, “the percentage of Christians in Syria went from ten percent to two percent.”

Neocons in this country celebrated his removal, the same ones who worked to overthrow Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. While both were brutal dictators, their removal led to even worse results. Today, Iraq is a strong ally of Iran, the world’s foremost benefactor of terrorism, while Libya has been splintered into regions controlled by rival Jihadist organizations.

Similarly, after Assad fled for Russia, Ahmed al-Sharaa seized control as Syria’s new interim President. He is the former leader of HTS. Previously, the United States offered a $10 million reward for his capture, but the Biden administration removed it last December.

Last Thursday, predictable revenge killings started in coastal areas of Syria, such as the town of Baniyas, still loyal to Assad. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 1,000 people were killed, including 745 innocent civilians.

Tragically, one of the victims was “Marwan Shahada, mayor of the Syrian Christian village of Mazraa in the Homs countryside.” He was found dead, killed by a machete attack.

In Latakia, drinking water and electricity were suspended, creating a disastrous situation. Residents of Latakia also faced helicopter attacks launched by the HTS government, targeting Assad loyalists.

Throughout the region, innocent civilians were killed by Sunni Muslim gunmen affiliated with the HTS government. The victims included Christians and “members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect.” Christian holy sites were also desecrated.

Ali Sheha, a Baniyas resident who witnessed the slaughter and fled with his family, told the Associated Press that Alawite residents were shot in homes, shops, and on the streets. In addition, residences were looted and set on fire.

He said the Jihadist murderers “asked residents for their IDs to check their religion and their sect before killing them. He said the gunmen also…stole cars and robbed homes.” To avoid the “executions,” some Alawites fled to Lebanon, while others took refuge at a Russian airbase in Hmeimim, Syria.

In response to the carnage, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that our country “stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities.” He called for a full investigation by Syrian authorities. France also expressed its “deep concern” about the massacre and called for an independent inquiry to “shed full light on these crimes.”