Alerts

Abu Muhammad al-Jolani Bears Direct Responsibility for the Massacre of the Alawite Sect in Syria

If he does not punish those responsible and fails to demonstrate firm control over the internal situation, he will quickly lose international support.
Share this
Abu Muhammad al-Jolani (Amrmilno/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Table of Contents

  • Senior security officials in Israel state that Abu Muhammad al-Jolani bears direct responsibility for the massacre of members of the Alawite sect and that he could have prevented it.
  • Al-Jolani has also found himself in trouble with the international community, but it is far from certain that he will punish those responsible for the massacre. He may attempt to stall the investigation.

Israel’s intelligence apparatus correctly assessed, immediately following the coup in Syria and the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, that the new president, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” – a senior jihadist terrorist who donned a suit and, with the help of Turkish intelligence, managed to take control of Syria.

The Israeli political echelon accepted the intelligence assessment and recommendations from day one of the coup.

As a result, Israel’s immediate approach to al-Jolani was one of deep suspicion.

The political leadership made the right decision, and before al-Jolani could even process the success of his coup, Israel expanded the buffer zone in the Golan Heights and, within days, used airstrikes to destroy all of Bashar al-Assad’s military assets to prevent them from falling into the hands of al-Jolani’s jihadist regime.

In recent days, Israel has further expanded its airstrikes in Syria, targeting new military infrastructures of Hamas and Islamic Jihad which are planning attacks from southern Syria against Israeli communities in the Golan Heights and the Galilee panhandle.

Senior security officials in Israel state that al-Jolani cannot wash his hands of this atrocity and that he is primarily responsible for the massacre of the Alawite sect.

The intent, they say, was to instill fear among Syria’s other minorities and force them to align with the new order he seeks to impose in the country.

According to these officials, al-Jolani’s men – members of the terrorist organization “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS), for which he serves as the direct commander – perpetrated the massacre alongside additional jihadist militants from Chechnya and the Caucasus.

No operation by this group occurs without al-Jolani’s direct approval, as he maintains an iron grip over it.

Due to severe international criticism, al-Jolani had no choice but to acknowledge that “violations” had occurred at the hands of elements affiliated with HTS, who are now supposed to be part of Syria’s new security apparatus.

Consequently, two investigative committees have been established to examine the events and prosecute those involved.

Will justice be served? Time will tell. It is not unlikely that al-Jolani will attempt to drag out the investigation.

Al-Jolani’s associates have tried to justify the massacre and the crimes committed by claiming that they were the actions of “rogue elements” and that there was no direct connection to the “General Security Apparatus” – the new name for HTS’s security forces.

However, the scale of the attacks and executions in numerous cities and villages along the Syrian coast suggests that these were far more than isolated incidents.

This was, in every sense, a well-organized campaign of revenge. The number of Alawite victims continues to rise.

Israeli security officials argue that even if these events were the result of actions by elements not entirely loyal to HTS or the new security forces, this does not absolve the regime of responsibility – especially when these elements operate under the auspices of al-Jolani’s rule.

The new president has essentially “shot himself in the foot” by failing to halt the massacre of the Alawite sect in its early stages.

He could have stopped it with a single phone call to his commanders in the field, but he did not.

The consequences are immediate and already visible on the domestic front: Syria’s minority communities now feel increasingly unsafe, and there are growing calls within Syria for international oversight to protect them.

There are also voices within the Alawite sect calling on Israel to intervene and assist those among them who are now willing to cooperate with Israel.

Al-Jolani is also facing growing international difficulties. The Western response does not absolve him of responsibility for the massacre, which could hinder efforts to ease economic sanctions imposed on Syria during al-Assad’s rule and complicate the flow of new financial aid to the country.

Soon, reports from international human rights organizations will be published, documenting the situation and exposing the events.

This could further complicate the international community’s stance toward the new regime and hinder efforts to improve relations with it.

Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem warn that if al-Jolani does not severely punish those responsible for the massacre of the Alawite sect in Syria’s coastal cities and fails to demonstrate firm control over the internal situation, he will quickly lose international support.

His fate may ultimately resemble that of al-Assad.

Yoni Ben Menachem

Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Share this

Invest in JCFA

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close