Alawite and Druze women in Syria are facing genocide. More than 400 women are missing in different parts of Syria and their whereabouts are unknown.
During attacks launched by the Syrian Transitional Government against Suwayda on July 13, countless women were killed and 80 women went missing.
Women in Kurdistan and Turkish cities are protesting the attacks by HTS against Alawite and Druze women in Syria.
Speaking to ANF, Güneş Özel from the Dicle Amed Women’s Platform said, “There has been a civil war in Syria for many years. Unfortunately, DAISH and jihadist organizations are carrying out a policy of genocide against minority groups in Syria.
Throughout history, women’s bodies have been used as weapons of war. As we witnessed in the genocide against the Yazidi people, women are being kidnapped, raped, and sold in slave markets. The same atrocities are currently being committed against Druze and Alawite women. These massacres are being carried out by HTS and other jihadist groups.
Unfortunately, these brutal policies are not receiving the attention they deserve on the world stage. Despite this massacre, the entire world remains silent for the sake of political interests.”
Pointing out that women are most affected by the wars in the Middle East, Özel continued:
“There is a serious policy of oppression against women in Middle Eastern countries. This is most clearly seen in the judicial system in Turkey. Almost all cities in Turkey are witnessing femicides. We hear about three or four women being murdered every day. Women are being killed in broad daylight on the streets.
These massacres stem from the policies implemented by the misogynistic government and the impunity granted by the male-dominated judiciary. These policies empower men. The government and the male-dominated judiciary are responsible for the femicides perpetrated in our country.
Attacks against Alawite and Druze women in Syria have not received much attention from the international community. Strong international solidarity with women is needed at this point. Just as the whole world spoke out against the attacks on Yazidi women, we must also speak out for Alawite and Druze women.
International powers such as the United Nations have a responsibility here. They must impose sanctions against these massacres. All minority groups in Syria must be granted equal citizenship rights. In this way, femicides can be prevented.”
Drawing attention to the importance of women’s solidarity in preventing femicide, Güneş Özel said, “The Rojava Women’s Revolution stands as a ray of hope in the dark geography of the Middle East. There, women have built a free life of equality and become a source of hope for all women in the Middle East. Women are present in every sphere of life.
We need to strengthen and expand women’s solidarity both in our country and throughout the world and the Middle East. We need to take charge of our lives and our peoples. Women must first and foremost unite without exception against this patriarchal structure.
I call on all women to take to the streets and speak with one voice to stop the attacks against Druze and Alawite women in Syria. We must defend our lives and our rights.”
Source: ANF News
