Al Sharaa Cannot Get A Grip on Syria | WATCH

Syria is experiencing heightened sectarian unrest, particularly in Alawite-majority coastal regions like Latakia and Tartus, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime earlier this month. The Alawites, a Shia-offshoot minority that formed the backbone of Assad's support base, are facing targeted violence, leading to widespread protests that have escalated into deadly clashes with security forces under the new interim government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.

These events are part of broader concerns over religious minorities' safety in the post-Assad era, with reports of killings, bombings, kidnappings, and forced conversions.

Recent Trigger: Deadly Mosque Bombing in Homs

The current wave of protests was ignited by a terrorist bombing on December 26 at the Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in an Alawite neighborhood of Homs, killing at least 8 people (including 2 children) and wounding 18 during Friday prayers. A little-known Sunni Islamist terror group, Ansar al-Sunna (linked to HTS), claimed responsibility, framing it as retaliation against Alawites. This marked the first major mosque attack since Assad's ouster on December 8, 2024.

Hundreds attended funerals in Homs on December 27 amid rain and cold, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the act as "unacceptable" and extending condolences.

Alawite activists describe this as part of systematic sectarian terror, including "convert or die" campaigns pressuring them to adopt Sunni Islam.

Protests and Clashes in Coastal Areas

Today, massive demonstrations erupted in Latakia and Tartus, where Alawites are demanding federalism, an end to discrimination, and protection from sectarian violence.

Protesters, largely unarmed, chanted for minority rights and a decentralized system to safeguard their communities.

However, tensions boiled over:

Latakia Clashes: Security forces opened fire while dispersing crowds, killing at least 2 protesters (including one security officer in crossfire) and wounding dozens.

At Al-Azhar Roundabout, protesters reportedly turned violent, assaulting security personnel, burning vehicles, and chanting sectarian slogans.

Tanks, armed men, and tear gas were deployed to quell the unrest.

Tartus Demonstrations: Similar huge protests occurred, with reports of government troops attacking demonstrators, leading to injuries and deaths. Activists describe it as a "real flood" against the new regime.

Alawite leaders are appealing to the UN for immediate international protection under Chapter VII, holding HTS and the "new Syrian army" responsible for ongoing atrocities like kidnappings and sexual violence.