Syria Coast Erupts in Deadly Clashes Between Alawites and Counterdemonstrators

LATAKIA, Syria - A wave of violence swept through Syria's coastal cities on Sunday, leaving at least four people dead and dozens injured in clashes between Alawite protesters and counterdemonstrators. The violence comes two days after a devastating bombing at an Alawite mosque in Homs, which killed eight people and wounded 18 others. Thousands of protesters had gathered in Latakia and Tartous, as well as other cities, to demand an end to sectarian attacks and discrimination against the Alawite minority. According to health officials, the clashes erupted when pro-government counterprotesters threw rocks at the Alawite demonstrators, while a group of protesters attacked a counterdemonstrator who crossed to their side. Security forces attempted to intervene, firing into the air to disperse the crowds. State-run television reported that two security personnel were wounded in Tartous after a hand grenade was thrown at a police station, while cars belonging to security forces were set on fire in Latakia. A member of the security forces was later killed by gunfire, according to state-run news agency SANA. Eyewitnesses described the scene in local hospitals, where three of the four dead had head wounds consistent with being hit by rocks, while one had a bullet wound to the chest. At least 60 people were wounded, with many suffering from stabbings, blows from stones, and gunfire. The country has experienced a series of sectarian clashes since the fall of President Bashar Assad in December 2024, which brought an end to nearly 14 years of civil war. Alawites have been targeted sporadically in sectarian attacks, and have complained of discrimination in public employment and detention without charges. Government officials have condemned the recent violence and promised to hold perpetrators accountable, but no arrests have been announced yet. "We went out to protest the incidents of killing and the marginalization and arrests and detentions and the employees who were fired," said Hussein Abbas, an engineer who joined the Alawite protest. Counterprotester Mohammed Ismail from Latakia blamed spoilers who benefited from the former system under Assad for sowing discord. "We are calling for one Syria and one people, and they don't want that," he said. "They want to return us to chaos so they can benefit.