SYRIA: “Even the Rocks Cry for what Happened in our Region“

In August 2013, one of the most appalling massacres of the Syrian conflict was carried out in the northern countryside of Latakia, in Ballouta and surrounding villages. An estimated 200 villagers were massacred by a combination of the “moderate“ FSA, Nusra Front (Al Qaeda) and Ahrar Al Sham. A further 200 were kidnapped, including many children. In Septemeber 2018 I spoke with one family in Ballouta. The father, Ramez Bade’a Saleem, describes what happened to his family and neighbours that day when their world was turned into a bloodbath before their eyes. That interview is here: Prior to the interview with Ramez and his children and those of his brothers whose parents were murderd by the terrorist groups, I spoke to Ramez and his mother alone. At one point Ramez breaks down and asks for his children to come and be with him so he can speak about what happened to them. He tells us that he is told not to cry but even the “