Deadly Protests Erupt in Syria Amid Uncertainty

Protests Erupt Across Syria’s Mediterranean Cities Following Mosque Attack

Demonstrations have broken out across Syria’s coastal regions, marking a new wave of sectarian unrest since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last year. The protests began on Sunday, following the deadly mosque attack in Homs that killed at least eight people.

The bombing of an Alawite mosque in Homs on Friday led to the demonstrations, with protesters demanding security guarantees and political reforms. Several cities along Syria’s Mediterranean coast have experienced deadly sectarian violence over the past year, raising questions about the interim government’s ability to maintain unity in a nation still scarred by 14 years of civil war.

The Alawite minority, which al-Assad is a member of, has been at the forefront of the protests. They are calling for greater protections for their community, accountability for attacks against civilians, and political guarantees. The group’s leader, Ghazal Ghazal, has called for a system of government that would allow the Alawites to determine their own destiny.

The protests have turned violent, with clashes breaking out between Alawite protesters and counterprotesters supporting the new government. In Latakia, four people were killed and over 100 injured in the unrest, while one security officer was reported killed. Two security personnel were wounded in Tartous when a hand grenade was thrown at their police station.

The Syrian government has condemned the mosque attack, describing it as an attempt to undermine security and stability. The bombing was claimed by a group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, which also claimed responsibility for a previous suicide bombing that killed at least 20 people in June.

Source: Al Jazeera