Protests that erupted Sunday, December 28, across Syria’s coastal region escalated into violent clashes in Latakia and Tartus, leaving at least three people dead, including a security officer, and 60 others injured, according to official figures. The unrest followed calls for demonstrations by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the Diaspora, and came amid rising tensions after the bombing of the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs.
Early Sunday, residents of Jableh, south of Latakia, reported pro-Assad slogans painted on school walls, including “Assad or we burn the country” and “Saraya al-Jawad is coming.” The latter refers to a cell affiliated with Suhail al-Hassan, a former officer in the ousted regime’s forces. Other graffiti called for decentralization in the coastal region under Hassan’s leadership, fueling fears of organized mobilization.
Violence Breaks Out During Demonstrations
Demonstrations dubbed the “Flood of Dignity” took place in Latakia, Tartus, Homs and parts of western Hama after Ghazal called for what he described as a peaceful mass movement demanding federalism and political reform. While protests initially began calmly, clashes later broke out at several gathering points, including the Agriculture and Azhari roundabouts in Latakia, according to local correspondents.
SANA, citing the Latakia Health Directorate, reported that attacks by remnants of the ousted Assad regime on security forces and civilians killed three people and injured 60 others. The injuries included wounds from gunfire, stones and bladed weapons. Two ambulances were also damaged and taken out of service while responding to the violence, SANA reported.
Brig. Gen. Abdulaziz al-Ahmad, head of internal security in Latakia Governorate, said security personnel and protesters came under gunfire from unknown assailants in several locations. He added that armed groups infiltrated the demonstrations and targeted security points with grenades, injuring members of the Internal Security Forces, according to statements carried by state media.
Security Operations and Arrests
As clashes intensified, Syrian army units supported by armored vehicles entered the centers of Latakia and Tartus to restore order, the Ministry of Defense said through its Media and Communication Department. Nouruddin Brimo, director of public relations in Latakia Governorate, said groups believed to be linked to the former Assad regime attacked public property and opened fire on civilians and security personnel.
Earlier Sunday, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of a member of the Saraya al-Jawad cell in the Jableh countryside. The ministry said the suspect confessed to hiding weapons used in attacks on security sites, and authorities seized machine guns and ammunition based on his testimony.
Separately, border guards arrested 12 people, including former officers of the ousted regime, while attempting to cross illegally into Syria from Lebanon, according to statements from the Ministry of Defense.
Calls for Calm Amid Rising Tensions
Against this backdrop, dignitaries and civil peace committees in Qardaha issued a video statement urging residents not to join sit-ins or protests. They warned against exploiting economic grievances or sectarian tensions and called for unity and calm, while acknowledging demands such as detainee releases and the reinstatement of dismissed workers.
The protests come as authorities continue investigations into Friday’s mosque bombing in Homs, which killed eight people and injured over 18, according to the Health Ministry. Officials have described the attack as a terrorist act, underscoring the fragile security situation as Syria’s coast grapples with competing calls for reform, accountability and stability.
