Deadly protests and clashes in Syria what happened and what's next?

"The bombing of the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighbourhood of Homs during Friday prayers led to the demonstrations. The bombing was claimed by a little-known group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, which said on its Telegram channel that the attack was intended to target members of the Alawite sect. Syria's security and political establishment was dominated by Alawites until al-Assad's regime fell in December 2024."

"Unrest grips Syria's Mediterranean cities after a deadly mosque attack sparks demonstrations. Protests have erupted across Syria's coastal regions, marking a new wave of sectarian upheaval since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime a year ago. During the protests on Sunday, gunfire was directed at Syrian security forces at the al-Azhari roundabout in Latakia while unknown assailants threw a hand grenade at the al-Anaza police station in the district of Banias in the Tartous governorate."

"The Alawite minority, which al-Assad is a member of, held the protests after at least eight people were killed in the bombing of an Alawite mosque in Homs on Friday. They are demanding security guarantees and political reforms. Several cities along Syria's Mediterranean coast have experienced deadly sectarian violence over the past year, raising questions about whether the interim government can maintain unity in a nation still scarred by 14 years of civil war."

Unrest has spread across Syria's Mediterranean coastal cities after a lethal bombing of an Alawite mosque in Homs. Alawite communities organized protests demanding security guarantees and political reforms following at least eight deaths in the attack. During demonstrations, gunfire struck security forces in Latakia and a hand grenade was thrown at a police station in Banias, Tartous governorate. A little-known group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, claimed responsibility for the mosque attack and had earlier claimed a Damascus church suicide bombing that killed at least 20. The attacks and subsequent protests expose deep sectarian fault lines and raise concerns about the interim government's capacity to maintain unity after 14 years of civil war. Calls for action by Alawite religious figures abroad helped mobilize protesters.

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