DID Press: Hundreds of residents in Jableh, Latakia, Tartus, Banyas, and Homs took to the streets to protest attacks by armed groups affiliated with Ahmed Shara, the country’s current leader, Amid rising tensions in Syria’s Alawite-majority regions. Reports indicate that armed clashes have occurred in some areas.
On Monday, November 24, following a statement by Alawite community leaders, residents of Alawite-dominated cities staged demonstrations. Protesters in Jableh, Latakia, and Tartus chanted slogans such as “Ya Ali, Ya Ali” and “Alawite blood is not cheap,” expressing their opposition to attacks by armed groups loyal to the Jolani regime.
In certain locations, including Jableh and Latakia, reports suggest that clashes broke out between demonstrators and regime-affiliated armed groups. Protesters moved from different neighborhoods toward central squares, with crowds growing steadily throughout the day.
In Homs, Alawite demonstrators also took to the streets, chanting “Heeyat minna al-dhilla” (“Far from us is humiliation”), leading to large gatherings. Analysts say the protests reflect escalating sectarian tensions and raise concerns about the potential for armed confrontation among demonstrators.