Syria Alawite Sectarian Protests 2025: Minority Demands Federalism as Tensions Flare

A year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the Mediterranean coast of Syria is witnessing a dangerous resurgence of sectarian strife. On December 28, 2025, the Alawite minority—the group to which the former president belonged—erupted in protests across Latakia and Tartous. According to Reuters, these demonstrations are not just about security, but a fundamental demand for political federalism.

The Spark of Unrest: A Deadly Mosque Bombing

The latest wave of unrest was triggered by a horrific bombing at an Alawite mosque in Homs during Friday prayers, which left at least 8 people dead. The attack, claimed by a group known as Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, highlighted the vulnerability of the community since the change of regime in December 2024.

Led by religious figure Ghazal Ghazal from abroad, the protesters are calling for self-determination. "We want political federalism... We want to determine our own destiny," Ghazal stated in a video message. The Alawites, who make up 10 percent of the population, have voiced growing grievances over discrimination in public sector hiring and arbitrary detentions.

Fragile Transition and the Risk of Sectarian Collapse

The clashes in Latakia have already turned deadly. Official reports from the Syrian news agency SANA indicate that 4 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Sunday's violence. Syria’s Ministry of Defence has since deployed army units to the city centers to suppress what it calls "outlaw groups" and re-establish stability.

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for national unity, but scholars warn of a widening rift. Rob Geist Pinfold of King’s College London told Al Jazeera that minority groups simply don't trust the new government's ability or willingness to protect them, creating a "vicious cycle" of alienation.