Overview
- Thousands from the Alawite minority demonstrated on December 28 across Latakia, Tartus and central regions two days after a bombing at an Alawite mosque in Homs killed eight and wounded about 18.
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces killed two protesters in Latakia, while provincial and state outlets reported three dead and dozens injured.
- Authorities said they contained the unrest, did not confirm opening fire, and blamed attacks on security forces on “remnants” of the former Assad regime, with officials citing wounded officers and damaged police vehicles.
- Protesters demanded decentralisation or federalism and the release of detainees, responding to a call by cleric Ghazal Ghazal and displaying banners backing regional autonomy.
- Reporters on the ground observed security forces firing into the air to separate Alawite demonstrators and pro‑government supporters, injuries were also reported in Homs, and the Defense Ministry told Al Jazeera that armored vehicles and tanks entered Latakia and Tartous.