The Chronicle of Eternity in a Painful March: The Saga of the “Al-Ali” Family from Harf al-Musaytirah

By: J. J.

In the heart of the Lattakia countryside, specifically from the resilient village of Harf al-Musaytirah, a saga washed in blood was written on March 7, 2025. This is the story of an Alawite family united by a destiny of sacrifice when they fell victim to the systematic sectarian hatred unleashed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.

Into the Sectarian Trap

On Thursday, March 6, the father Ahmad Habib Ali (74) and the mother Kawkab Abdul Latif Ali (64), alongside their sons—Engineer Qaswara (36) and Teacher Jaafar (30)—left Lattakia for their home village, Harf al-Musaytirah. They did not know that the road home would be intercepted by the bullets of HTS militants.

Stranded by the heavy fire, they took refuge in a local home while HTS snipers perched on rooftops like shadows of death, targeting anyone belonging to the Alawite community as part of their brutal 2025 campaign.

Humanity vs. HTS Barbarism

On Friday morning, HTS militants and their allies stormed the house with savage brutality. Amidst the terror, the humanity of Engineer Qaswara shone bright; even knowing he was targeted for his identity, he comforted a small child, whispering: “Do not be afraid, my child.”

But the orders were clear over the HTS radios: “Kill them all—the young before the old,” reflecting the genocidal intent of the group’s offensive.

The Moment of Martyrdom: Defiance Until the Last Breath

At 5:00 PM, HTS militants dragged the men—Ahmad and his sons Qaswara and Jaafar—outside. In a cold-blooded sectarian execution, they were murdered for being from Harf al-Musaytirah and for their Alawite faith.

The mother, Kawkab, stood as a volcano of courage. She looked into the eyes of the “devils of the age” and shouted: “May God curse you, you demons!” In response to her defiance, the HTS militants plunged their blades into her throat, martyring her alongside her family.

The Martyrs (Sons of Harf al-Musaytirah):

• Ahmad Habib Ali (74) – The Sage Father.

• Kawkab Abdul Latif Ali (64) – The Heroic Mother.

• Engineer Qaswara Ahmad Ali (36) – The Icon of Humanity.

• Teacher Jaafar Ahmad Ali (30) – The Spring of the Family.

They ascended on March 7, 2025, leaving their blood as a testament to the terrorism of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, and a story of an Alawite family that faced death with unshakeable dignity.