AAUS Calls for Renewed US Congressional Oversight Following Senseless Masyaf Bridge Killings

The Alawites Association of the United States (AAUS) is deeply saddened by yet another armed attack, this time targeting a bus carrying civilian workers and engineers on the evening of Sept. 30, 2026. The attack resulted in the killing of seven Alawite civilians and critically wounded four others, including three Alawites and one Christian man. Targeting civilians constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental rights to life and security.

This crime cannot be viewed as an isolated incident. It comes amid continuing killings, abductions, and attacks targeting Alawite civilians, as well as the lack of effective accountability for numerous previous violations. The recurrence of such attacks without holding perpetrators accountable deepens fear and insecurity within the Alawite community.

Fahel, the village from which several victims of the latest attack came, had previously witnessed a deadly incident on Jan. 23, 2025, in which Human Rights Watch documented the killing of 15 people, amid a continued lack of meaningful accountability. With tensions on the rise, we urge accurate representation of victims with an emphasis on the human dignity inherent in all people.

AAUS continues to work alongside the US congress toward adequate oversight mechanisms to ensure conditions placed on the lifting of sanctions, including prosecution of crimes against minority religious groups, are upheld by Syria’s current transitional authorities. We call for transparency in the form of Congressionally mandated reporting on progress made toward these humane requirements.

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For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Alawites Association of the United States

Dr. Morhaf Ibrahim, President of AAUS

Email: info@AlawitesAssociation.org

Phone: 202.599.4459

Website: www.alawitesassociation.com