Sunni Islamists in Syria target predominantly Alawite areas in Tartous and Jableh. Immediately, ISIS (Islamic State – IS) claimed responsibility for the suicide and car bombing attacks that have left at least 78 people dead. Sadly, the death toll will likely increase because many people remain injured. Therefore, the barbarity of ISIS is now targeting major strongholds of the Syrian government.
Equally important, the Russian Federation utilizes Tartous because of naval facilities. Likewise, military aircraft from this nation also fly from an airbase that is in close proximity to Jableh. This reality means that the Russian Federation needs to boost security measures along with the Syrian government. Also, political and military leaders in the Russian Federation should rethink new strategies to support the fight against international terrorism in Syria.
The BBC reports, “A series of car and suicide bombings has hit two government strongholds on Syria’s Mediterranean coast… State media said at least 78 people were killed, while a monitoring group put the death toll at more than 120.”
Recently, Sunni Takfiris also slaughtered Alawites in al-Zara. Modern Tokyo Times reported “Sunni Islamist Takfiris from Ahrar al-Sham and al-Nusra overran a mainly Alawite village in central Syria several days ago. Since then, reports stress that many Alawite civilians have been butchered. Equally disturbing, many civilians from the village of al-Zara are missing and presumed either dead or kidnapped. Therefore, the death toll is likely to increase given the brutal nature of Sunni Takfiris.”
It is clear that from day one various Sunni Islamist groups had intentions to slaughter the Alawites, Christians, the Shia and other minority faith groups. On top of this, all loyal Sunni Muslims were equally deemed to be infidels. Indeed, several Sunni Muslim clerics were killed and intimidated by an array of Sunni Islamist forces during the early period of this conflict that was ignited by major Gulf and Western powers.
Therefore, it is essential that the Russian Federation and Iran maintain firm support towards the central government – while still seeking a political solution. Equally important, more pressure must be put on nations like Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Also, the United States and other nations like France must stop meddling in the internal affairs of Syria. After all, these Western-backed so-called moderate anti-Syrian government forces are known to sell weapons to extreme terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Nusra – also, they cleanse religious minorities and commit untold atrocities.
http://moderntokyotimes.com Modern Tokyo Times – International News and Japan News
http://global-security-news.com Global Security News – Geopolitics and Terrorism