• Three people killed during Alawite protests in Syria following mosque bombing.
• Thousands protested against the attack that killed eight in Homs.
• Clashes between Alawite protestors and counter-protestors escalated tensions.
• Demands for political reform and security assurances were voiced by demonstrators.
• The situation has raised concerns about escalating sectarian violence in the region.

At least three people were killed and over 60 injured on Sunday during protests across western Syria's Alawite regions, following a mosque bombing in Homs that resulted in eight fatalities on Friday. Demonstrations erupted in response to calls from the Alawite leadership, including a spiritual leader known as Ghazal Ghazal, urging community members to show solidarity against perceived marginalization under the current Islamist authorities, according to South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

The protests, which took place in coastal provinces and Homs, turned violent when confrontations broke out between Alawite demonstrators and supporters of the new government. Security forces reportedly responded with live ammunition in an attempt to control the crowds, leading to the fatalities in Latakia, as reported by both South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The backdrop to these protests involved the bombing of the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, a target of sectarian violence claimed by the Sunni extremist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna. This attack has heightened fears amongst the Alawites, a community that previously held political prominence under Bashar al-Assad's regime, indicating a resurgence of threats against their security and political standing since his ousting in December 2024, according to Al Jazeera.

During the protests, demonstrators expressed a desire for political federalism and accountability for the growing violence against their community, even amid internal divisions that have emerged after al-Assad's fall. Some protesters voiced their frustration with slogans demanding decentralisation of political power and the end to sectarian rhetoric, reflecting broader regional grievances about security and governance, as highlighted by South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

As the protests unfolded, Syrian authorities alleged that the unrest was exacerbated by armed loyalists of the former Assad regime, thereby complicating the narrative of accountability and societal consensus essential for peace. This accusation has sparked further debate about the actual power dynamics within the interim government and the safety of various sects amidst growing sectarian tensions, reported by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.