In a shocking escalation of sectarian violence, masked assailants descended upon the Alawite community in the capital, Damascus, in the early hours of March 7, abducting more than two dozen men from their homes. Eyewitnesses describe a harrowing scene in the al-Qadam neighborhood, where residents report that armed groups targeted Alawite families, purportedly in retaliation for earlier unrest in coastal regions of Syria.

According to eyewitness accounts, the violence erupted shortly after a group of Alawites loyal to the ousted Assad regime initiated an insurgency in the coastal areas, approximately 200 miles away. Within hours, the backlash resulted in hundreds of Alawite deaths, catalyzing a wave of retribution that reached the heart of Syria's capital. Witnesses confirm that the men taken included a retired teacher, an engineering student, and a mechanic—all unarmed and targeted solely due to their sectarian identity.

"I saw them break down doors and drag men out, simply because they were Alawite," recounted a local resident whose relative, telecoms engineer Ihsan Zeidan, was among those abducted. "The fear in the community is palpable, and everyone knows that anyone could be next."

The intervention of Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, aimed to curb the violence. However, reports indicate that some forces dispatched to quell the unrest acted independently, without authorization from the defense ministry, thereby intensifying community fears. 

Amid panic of a broader sectarian clash, al-Sharaa's administration stressed that the violence was geographically constrained, asserting that the newly formed fact-finding committee would primarily focus on the coastal areas. However, inquiries into allegations of abduction and killings in Damascus remain unaddressed. 

A spokesperson for the General Security Service (GSS)—which has absorbed many former rebel fighters—maintained that the agency did not specifically target Alawites. When pressed about the abduction of unarmed men, the spokesperson declined to comment further.

Despite official assurances, the atmosphere of distrust and fear among Alawite families in al-Qadam has driven many to consider fleeing. "I just want to leave this place," lamented one woman, expressing the sentiment of numerous families who now live with the constant dread of losing loved ones to violence. Many have abandoned their work and moved cautiously, opting to stay indoors to evade potential kidnappers.

Human Rights Watch has deemed the situation urgent, calling for accountability and thorough investigations into the reported raids. "Families deserve answers, and authorities must act to prevent this cycle of impunity," stated HRW researcher Hiba Zayadin. 

As the violence in al-Qadam unfolds, families like the Badran brothers—who span three generations and were taken from their homes—remain in limbo. Relatives of the victims have faced substantial hurdles in recovering their loved ones, being denied access to vital information and health facilities in their attempts to find the missing men.

As this tragic saga continues to unfold, the gravity of sectarian tensions in Syria remains stark, casting a shadow over the capital and threatening the fragile peace that so many desperately seek.