The Syrian army deployed armoured vehicles and tanks to coastal cities on Sunday after protests demanding self-determination turned violent, leaving at least three people dead and 60 others injured in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. The deployment followed demonstrations in the Syrian coastal region and central provinces called for by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Alawite Supreme Council. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) provided a differing account, reporting that Syrian security forces “killed” two people while dispersing Alawite demonstrations. State media reported that “gunmen from the remnants of the former regime” opened fire in Latakia, killing a member of the security forces. They followed a call for action by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal in the wake of a suicide bombing at an Alawite mosque in Homs, an attack claimed by Islamic State.

Source: Daily News Egypt December 28, 2025 16:24 UTC