ALBAWABA - Two people were killed and four others injured during clashes in Tartus, western Syria, as reported by the Syrian Interior Ministry to Al Jazeera. The violence was linked to protests condemning the burning of a shrine dedicated to an Alawite figure in Aleppo. This unrest led authorities to impose curfews in Homs and Jableh to prevent further escalation.
According to Al Jazeera, the Interior Ministry attributed the shrine burning to “remnants of the former regime,” accusing them of inciting sectarian conflict in the wake of Aleppo’s fall earlier this month. Tartus, a city with a predominantly Alawite population, has become a focal point of tension since the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power on December 8. Assad, who fled to Moscow, previously held significant support among Alawite communities.
Demonstrations broke out in several cities, including Latakia, Qardaha, and Homs, with participants condemning the attack on the shrine. Protesters held banners calling for justice, and local authorities described the incident as an attempt to destabilize the region. A statement by the Aleppo Police to Al Jazeera confirmed the arrest of individuals allegedly involved in the shrine's burning, with legal proceedings underway.
The viral spread of a video showing the shrine burning further fueled public anger. Although the Interior Ministry clarified to Al Jazeera that the footage was from the fall of Aleppo two weeks ago, the video's circulation was seen as an effort to incite tensions during the current transitional period.
In response to escalating unrest, local authorities in Jableh imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday, while Homs implemented similar measures starting at 6 p.m. Security reinforcements have been dispatched to maintain order and address acts of vandalism in the affected areas.
