Four people were killed and 60 wounded in clashes in Syria's coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous following a bombing at an Alawite mosque in Homs that killed eight and wounded 18. The mosque bombing occurred two days prior, during evening prayers. Preliminary investigations suggest explosive devices were planted inside the mosque, though no suspects have been publicly identified by authorities. A little-known group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, claimed responsibility for the mosque attack, stating it targeted the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam considered apostates by hard-line Islamists.
Sunday's demonstrations were called by Alawite sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, who heads the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the Diaspora. In Latakia, pro-government counter-demonstrators reportedly attacked Alawite protesters with rocks, while some protesters beat a counter-demonstrator. Security forces attempted to separate the groups and fired into the air to disperse the crowds. State media reported that two security force members were wounded by a grenade thrown at a police station in Tartous, and security force vehicles were set on fire in Latakia. Later, a security force member was killed by gunfire, and local media reported four bodies were in Latakia hospitals due to the clashes, with injuries from stabbings, stones, and gunfire affecting both security personnel and civilians.
Syria has seen waves of sectarian clashes since the ousting of former president Bashar Assad in December 2024, following a rebel offensive that ended nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad, an Alawite, fled to Russia. Previous sectarian violence in March, triggered by an ambush on security forces by Assad supporters, resulted in hundreds of deaths, predominantly Alawites. Since then, Alawites have faced sporadic sectarian attacks and have complained of discrimination in public employment and the detention of young Alawite men without charges. During the Assad dynasty, Alawites were disproportionately represented in government and security roles. Government officials condemned the mosque attack and pledged accountability but have not announced any arrests.