EXPLAINERNews|ProtestsDeadly protests and clashes in Syria – what happened and what’s next?Unrest grips Syria’s Mediterranean cities after a deadly mosque attack sparks demonstrations.
Syrian government forces have been deployed to Latakia and Tartous following recent clashes, as protests have intensified across the coastal regions of Syria. These developments come in the wake of sectarian tensions that have persisted since the…
Syrian government forces have been deployed to Latakia and Tartous following recent clashes, as protests have intensified across the coastal regions of Syria. These developments come in the wake of sectarian tensions that have persisted since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
On Sunday, Syrian security forces were targeted by gunfire at the al-Azhari roundabout in Latakia. Additionally, unknown assailants threw a hand grenade at the al-Anaza police station in Banias, located in the Tartous governorate.
The protests were triggered by the bombing of an Alawite mosque in Homs on Fri, Dec 26, 2025, which resulted in at least eight deaths. This incident has led to demands for security guarantees and political reforms by the Alawite community, a religious minority in Syria.
The protests were organized following calls from Ghazal Ghazal, an Alawite religious figure living outside Syria. Ghazal leads the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and Abroad and has advocated for political federalism and greater protections for the Alawite community.
Clashes have occurred between Alawite protesters and counterprotesters, particularly in Latakia and Tartous. The Syrian Ministry of Defence reported that army units had been deployed to these areas to restore stability.
Syrian government forces have been deployed to Latakia and Tartous following recent clashes, as protests have intensified across the coastal regions of Syria.
The official Syrian news agency, SANA, reported four fatalities and over 100 injuries in Latakia. The injuries included stabbings, stone impacts, and gunfire affecting both civilians and security personnel. Additionally, a security officer was killed during the clashes, and two security personnel were injured in Tartous due to a grenade attack.
Alawites represent the second-largest religious group in Syria, comprising 10 percent of the population. This community was politically dominant under the Assad regime, which heavily recruited Alawites for military and security roles.
In recent months, sectarian violence has persisted, with incidents in coastal cities and the southern governorate of Suwayda. These events have raised concerns about whether the interim government can maintain national unity and peace.
Government Response and Future Prospects
Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has emphasized the importance of preserving national unity. However, challenges remain due to the central government's limited authority and ongoing demands for decentralization by minority groups.
Efforts to integrate regions controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have encountered difficulties, mainly due to mistrust between minority groups and the central government. The potential for further ethnic and sectarian divides remains a concern.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
