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Thousands Rally Across Syria's Alawite Coast Demanding Justice, Security and Federalism

Thousands rallied across Syria's Alawite coastal provinces in the biggest protests in the region since last December, calling for the withdrawal of armed groups, justice for those killed and the release of detainees. Demonstrations in Latakia, Tartus and Jableh followed a social media appeal by Alawite leaders and came amid renewed sectarian tensions after killings in Homs. Rights monitors say about 9,000 mostly Alawite former soldiers remain detained, and estimates place March's death toll between 1,426 and 1,700+; a UN commission found some of that violence to be widespread and amounting to war crimes.

01:07 PM, 11/26/2025Conflict
Thousands Rally Across Syria's Alawite Coast Demanding Justice, Security and Federalism

Thousands of people demonstrated across Syria's coastal Alawite heartland on Tuesday to denounce recent attacks on the minority community and to demand security, justice and political protections for the region.

Rallies in the port city of Latakia and the coastal towns of Tartus and Jableh were described by organisers and witnesses as the largest in the area since the fall of longtime president Bashar al-Assad last December. Protesters held banners calling for the withdrawal of armed groups, the release of detainees and greater local autonomy.

“We are one united people. We want armed factions in the region to leave, justice for our martyrs on the coast, and the release of our prisoners... We don't know what they are accused of,” said Joumana, a 58-year-old lawyer who gave only her first name.

Security forces were visible in Latakia but did not intervene, witnesses said. In Jableh clashes broke out between demonstrators and a counter-demonstration of pro-authority supporters; gunshots were reported and a few people suffered minor injuries. Later reports said some Alawite properties were vandalised and community members were insulted in parts of Latakia.

Rights monitors report that roughly 9,000 mostly Alawite former military personnel who surrendered to the new authorities remain detained. Protesters also cited the March wave of sectarian violence that swept parts of the coast, which authorities said killed at least 1,426 people while independent monitors put the toll above 1,700.

The demonstrations followed a social media call from the Supreme Islamic Alawite Council in Syria and Abroad and were fuelled by renewed tensions after a Sunni Bedouin couple were killed in Homs; sectarian graffiti was found at that scene and accusations circulated that members of the Alawite community were responsible. Local officials later called the Homs killings criminal rather than sectarian.

Observers and a UN commission have described the March violence as “widespread and systematic”, with some incidents amounting to war crimes. Protesters warn that the rise of Islamist-led authorities in parts of Syria has heightened fears among minority communities and are calling for guarantees of safety and political measures such as federal arrangements for the coast.

What to watch: whether authorities or local actors respond to calls for detainee releases and whether tensions ease or escalate in the coming weeks as communities seek accountability and protection.

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