Maksar al-Husan Massacres, Mid-September, 2013

Islamist rebels in central Homs province launched raids on at least three Alawite villages, starting on September 9, in which they massacred dozens of civilians, largely of elderly. Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra admits to the raids and massacres, justified by the victim's status as Nusayris (enemies of God) whose towns allegedly sponsored attacks on rebel areas. This story, reported by the prominent Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, comes in tandem with an uptick of public executions and other shows of hate for Syria's Alawi community, especially in Islamist-held swathes of northern and eastern Syria.

Location
The SOHR mentions three towns: "Maksar al-Husan, al-Mas'oudiya and Jub al-Jirah" These can be found on Wikimapia: in the center, Jubb al-Jarrah, Mas'Udiya nearby at 11:00, Maksar al-Hesan at 7:00. This area is about 50 kilometers east of Homs city, all just northeast of "Mount Ash Shumariya." This page will not be called the Mount Shumaria massacres, as that would confuse with the planned Shumariyeh massacre page (also against Alawites)

SOHR Reports
From Syrian Observatory's English Facebook page. There might be a report from around Tuesday, September 10, on the initial takeover of at least one town, Maksar al-Husan.

A summary of the events was posted September 16, 12:38 AM GMT:
 * Homs province: al-Nusra front acknowledged responsibility over the attack on the villages of Maksar al-Husan, al-Mas'oudiya and Jub al-Jirah in eastern Reef Homs. al-Nusra mentioned in a statement that its fighter prepared to storm "the Nusayri (A'lawi) villages of Maksar al-Husan, Jub al-Jirah and al-Mas'oudiya of eastern Reef Hama. The neighbouring Sunni villages have always been bombarded from these villages and from checkpoints in its surroundings and Sunni residents have been subject to arbitrary detainment". After preparations, a leader made a speech provoking them to kill Nusayris "the enemies of god". Fighters began the attack later at dawn of Tuesday 10/9/2013, they were able to enter the Muksar al-Husan village within an hour of the attack. al-Nusra launched 120mm mortar shells, Grad rockets, 57mm and 23mm artillery shells and domestically manufactured rockets on the Jub al-Jirah village and al-Mas'oudiya town.


 * It is worth noting that the al-Nusra front along with a rebel battalion took hold of the Maksar al-Husan village for several hours last Tuesday. Activists from the village confirmed that al-Nusra front killed 22 of the village's residents: An 83 year old man and his 75 year old wife. A 45 year-old man, his 89 year-old mother, and his 30 year-old wife. A 65 year-old man. A 40 year old woman and her 2 children (10 and 12 years old). A 22 year-old young man. A 64 year-old man, his 2 children (16 and 20 years old) and his 90 year-old mother. 2 children (9 and 11 years old). 6 Bedouins who live in the neighbourhood (a 69 year-old man, his 18 year-old son and 20 year-old daughter. A 41 year-old man, an 80 year-old man and a 75 year-old woman. 


 * The al-Nusra front mentioned in its statement that "the attack resulted in the death of at least 30 "Nusayris", seizing 10 Kalashnikovs as well as several ammunition, cars and equipment and that the casualties included Colonel Ra'ed al-Hasan. They also stated that the barrier of fear was broken "since it was the first time these villages were stormed and several of its residents killed". At night of last Tuesday violent clashes broke out in the village between regular forces on one side and al-Nusra front and a rebel battalion on the other, regular forces were able to regain control of the village afterwards. Several fighters from al-Nusra front and the rebel battalion were killed by clashes and violent bombardment preceding it. 5 regular soldiers were also killed by the clashes.
 * * Picture of al-Nusra fighters storming the Maksar al-Husan village.

Attacks continue from nearby: Sept. 15, 11:57 AM:
 * Homs province: Areas in al-Hola and Qal'et al-Husun town were bombarded by regular forces which led to injuries and house damages. The Mas'oudiya village and Jub al-Jirah town were subject to bombardment with domstically manufactured rockets, which led to several injuries and house damages.

Other Reports
(forthcoming)