Latakia (Syria), December 28, 2025 — On Sunday, large-scale protests took place in Syria’s coastal city of Latakia and in several other cities across the country, during which thousands of demonstrators marched demanding political federalization and broader rights for the Alawite community. According to reports from local sources and international news agencies, the gatherings escalated into violence, resulting in at least three deaths and dozens of injuries.
Political and Identity Demands
The protests were organized at the call of influential community figures, including Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Alawite Islamic Supreme Council. They aimed to condemn the continued marginalization of the Alawite community following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024 and the rise to power of a government dominated by Sunni forces.
The demonstrators specifically demanded:
– a decentralized and federal political system,
– the release of Alawite prisoners detained by the state,
– an end to violence and targeted attacks against their community.
Chants such as “We want federalization” and “The Syrian people are united” were widely heard in the streets of Latakia, expressing demands for political recognition and protection.
Gunfire and Casualties
According to eyewitnesses and local officials, the protest in Latakia turned violent when gunfire was heard from an unknown source, causing panic and chaos among thousands of participants gathered in Azhar Square. Immediately after the gunshots, security forces present at the scene fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd, further intensifying the confusion.
Overall, three demonstrators were killed and more than forty people were injured during the protests held in Latakia and neighboring coastal cities, according to a statement by local authorities relayed to the international press. Among the victims were civilians, as well as, according to official sources, at least one member of the security forces who was killed during the clashes.
Context of Ongoing Tensions
These events are unfolding amid deepening communal and political tensions in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024, when power was transferred to various ideologically diverse forces. The Alawite region, long considered a stronghold of Assad’s rule, has become a center of growing discontent due to violence, arbitrary arrests, and the absence of security.
A deadly attack carried out several days earlier against an Alawite mosque in the city of Homs, which claimed the lives of several worshippers, further intensified grievances and served as a catalyst for Sunday’s protests.
Reactions and Prospects
Syria’s transitional government, headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has not yet issued a comprehensive statement regarding the incidents, though officials have condemned the violence and announced the launch of investigations. The executive authorities have also assured respect for the right to peaceful protest, while calling for the preservation of public order.
Human rights organizations and international observers have likewise called for de-escalation, emphasizing that the use of force against peaceful demonstrators could further deepen Syria’s already severe political and communal divisions.
The National Council of Western Armenia expresses its condolences to the families of the victims.