"Syria’s interim authorities deployed a large security force to the western coastal city of Latakia on Sunday, after thousands of Alawites took to the streets in demonstrations protesting 'attacks' against their community. Footage shows armoured vehicles moving through Latakia, as well as interim government forces entering city streets amid the sound of heavy gunfire. Other scenes show civilians carrying a young man who was injured during the demonstrations. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that the interim government's Public Security forces deployed armoured vehicles to a gathering point near the al-Azhari roundabout, where peaceful protesters had assembled. “The Public Security forces staged mock clashes, pretending to attack 'remnants of the regime', in an attempt to create a pretext for attacking and dispersing unarmed protesters in order to break up and suppress the demonstrations,” SOHR said. Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that three people were killed and 60 were injured in Latakia as a result of what it described as attacks by 'remnants of the former regime' against security forces and civilians. The Interior Ministry of the interim government said security personnel assigned to protect the demonstrations came under direct attack. The ministry said that “security personnel tasked with securing today’s protests were subjected to direct attacks in the city of Latakia, in addition to attacks in the Tartus countryside carried out by groups linked to remnants of the regime.” The demonstrations were called by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Council, who, in a recorded address, said the community’s demands included political federalism, while stressing that Alawites reject civil war. Ghazal’s appeal followed the bombing of the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, a predominantly Alawite neighbourhood, which killed eight people and injured dozens more. In December 2024, Syria’s interim authorities took power in Damascus, with Ahmad al-Sharaa later appointed interim president after pledging to form an 'inclusive government'. However, media reports have documented violations against civilians from Druze, Alawite, Christian and other minority communities. These developments have fuelled rising tensions, including calls for secession in Suwaida governorate. Meanwhile, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have yet to be integrated into the newly formed Syrian army as of the time of publication."