At a Glance
- Sectarian clashes on Syria’s coast kill 4, wound 60.
- The violence follows a mosque bombing that killed 8 and wounded 18.
- Protesters of the Alawite minority face rising tensions amid post-Assad unrest.
- Why it matters: The clashes highlight ongoing sectarian strife and the fragile security situation in Syria.
The clashes erupted on Sunday between Alawite protesters and counter-demonstrators along Syria’s coast, following a mosque bombing in Homs that killed eight and wounded 18.
Clashes on Syria’s Coast
Protesters gathered in Latakia, Tartous, and other coastal cities, while security forces attempted to separate the two sides and fired into the air. An AP photographer saw pro-government counter-protesters throw rocks at Alawite demonstrators, and a protester beat a counter-demonstrator who crossed to their side. Four bodies were later found in local hospitals, three with head wounds from rocks and one with a chest bullet.
- At least 4 killed and 60 wounded in the clashes.
- The incident followed a mosque bombing that killed 8 and wounded 18.
- Security forces were injured and vehicles set on fire.
Background and Reactions
Hussein Abbas said:
> “We went out to protest the incidents of killing and the marginalization and arrests and detentions and the employees who were fired,”
Mohammed Ismail said:
> “We are calling for one Syria and one people, and they don’t want that. They want to return us to chaos so they can benefit.”
The attacks come after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024 and a March ambush by his supporters that left hundreds dead, most of them Alawites. Alawites now report discrimination in public employment and detentions without charges.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Fatalities (clashes) | 4 |
| Fatalities (mosque bombing) | 8 |
| Injuries (clashes) | 60 |
| Injuries (mosque bombing) | 18 |
Key Takeaways
- Sectarian clashes on Syria’s coast killed 4 and injured 60 after a mosque bombing.
- The violence underscores deep sectarian tensions in post-Assad Syria.
- Security forces and civilians remain at risk amid ongoing unrest.
The clashes illustrate how fragile the security situation is in Syria, as sectarian divisions continue to flare.
