Security forces restore calm in Syria’s Latakia after attacks on Alawite areas, following deadly protests and rising sectarian tensions.
LATAKIA: Calm returned to Syria’s coastal city of Latakia on Monday after a heavy deployment of security forces.
State television reported the deployment in main streets following attacks on Alawite-majority neighbourhoods.
An AFP correspondent confirmed the city was quiet with security forces present.
Residents reported that Alawite districts came under attack on Monday evening.
Cars and property were vandalised during the violence.
Mohammed, a resident of the al-Rimal al-Shamali neighbourhood, said “dozens” of people were “breaking things, hitting people and shooting”.
He expressed fear, stating the violence was happening right under his house.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least three people were injured.
Alawite spiritual leader Ghazal Ghazal urged supporters via Facebook to stay calm and remain home.
Syrian authorities said forces reinforced deployment to monitor the situation and ensure citizen safety.
Latakia is a mixed city in Syria’s Alawite coastal heartland with several Sunni-majority areas.
Another resident, Husam, said “we’re afraid” and called for stability and coexistence.
He urged the government to take a stand to protect all people impartially.
The attacks followed mass protests by the Alawite minority on Sunday.
Three people were killed during those demonstrations across coastal and central provinces.
Protests were called to decry a mosque attack in Homs two days prior that killed eight people.
That attack reignited minority fears under the country’s new Islamist authorities.
Alawites have been targeted since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024.
Hundreds of Alawites were killed in sectarian massacres in their coastal heartland in March.
Damascus has given assurances that all communities will be protected.
Minorities remain wary of their future under the new authorities despite these assurances.
