Overview
- The deaths of a Sunni Bedouin couple south of Homs with sectarian slogans at the scene triggered reprisals by armed tribesmen in Alawite areas, a curfew, and about 120 arrests.
- Large Alawite-led protests and sit-ins spread across Latakia, Tartous, Jableh and Baniyas, with calls for protection and, in some cases, federalism; SOHR counted 42 demonstrations.
- Videos and witnesses reported gunfire at rival gatherings in Latakia, with officials saying security forces first fired into the air and that unknown assailants then opened fire, leaving people wounded.
- Residents reported late-night incursions by pro-government gunmen into Alawite districts on the coast, firing in the air to intimidate, as security forces increased deployments and checkpoints.
- President Ahmed al-Sharaa said protesters have legitimate demands that will be considered while insisting on national unity, and the Interior Ministry suggested sectarian messages at the crime scene were planted to incite strife.