Flood of Dignity protests took place on Sunday, 28 December, across cities and rural areas in Latakia and Tartus governorates (northwestern Syria, on the Mediterranean coast), as well as in parts of Homs (central Syria), the western countryside of Hama (west central Syria), and the al-Ghab Plain (northwestern Syria, part of Hama province).. Demonstrations were held in main squares and key gathering points amid tightened security measures and a heavy deployment of government forces.
Protesters chanted slogans calling to “stop the killing,” “federalism,” and justice. They condemned the bombing that struck the Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs on Friday, and demanded the release of detainees who were arrested after the fall of the former regime.
The Flood of Dignity protests were held in response to a call issued on Saturday, 27 December, by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of what is known as the “Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the Diaspora.”
Protesters also carried signs with slogans and demands including “federalism,” “no to terrorism,” “no to killing,” and “no to uncontrolled weapons,” according to videos and photos circulating online.
In Latakia city, one protest gathered at the Agriculture roundabout and another at the al-Azhari roundabout. Sit ins were also held in the al-Qusour neighborhood in Baniyas (a coastal city in Tartus countryside, northwestern Syria), which witnessed deadly events last March, as well as at the al-Saadi roundabout in Tartus city.
al-Ikhbariya quoted Latakia’s Internal Security commander, Brigadier General Abdulaziz al-Ahmad, as saying that individuals he described as “terrorists affiliated with the remnants of the fallen regime” attacked Internal Security personnel in Latakia province, in the cities of Latakia and Jableh (south of Latakia city, on Syria’s Mediterranean coast). He said the attack injured some personnel and damaged vehicles belonging to special tasks units and the police.
In the countryside of Jableh, Alawite protesters burned a picture of deposed leader Bashar al-Assad at the Mohammad Nasr roundabout, after unidentified individuals painted pro-Assad graffiti in the area. Protesters said the graffiti aimed to “confuse their demands and derail the course of peaceful protests.”
Sit ins were also reported in al-Qardaha (in Latakia countryside, northwestern Syria), Masyaf (in Hama countryside, west central Syria), Safita (in Tartus countryside, northwestern Syria), al-Dreikish (in Tartus countryside, northwestern Syria), and al-Sheikh Badr (in Tartus countryside, northwestern Syria), as well as their surrounding rural areas. Demonstrators denounced what they described as the “killing of Alawites” and called for “the right of human beings to live in safety and dignity,” according to the chants, alongside demands to curb uncontrolled weapons.
Crowds began to thin gradually after clashes broke out between protesters and government supporters in several locations, including the Agriculture roundabout and al-Azhari roundabout in Latakia, the al-Qusour roundabout gathering in Baniyas in Tartus countryside, as well as in Homs.
On the other side, government supporters in Jableh and Baniyas held demonstrations with chants opposing Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal.
al-Ikhbariya said Internal Security forces carried out a heavy deployment to secure protest sites, noting that demonstrators gathered in a vigil condemning the bombing at the “Imam Ali Mosque in Homs,” and demanding the release of detainees.
Homs mosque bombing
An explosion occurred inside the Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs city while worshippers were performing Friday prayers, on 26 December.
SANA quoted Najeeb al-Naasan, Director of the Referral, Ambulance, and Emergency Directorate at the Ministry of Health, as saying the death toll rose to eight people, with 18 others injured, in a non final count.
A correspondent for al-Ikhbariya said the blast occurred during Friday prayers inside the mosque, near a corner that is usually crowded with worshippers, leading to many casualties at the site.
A security source told SANA that preliminary investigations indicate the explosion was caused by explosive devices planted inside the mosque.
The Interior Ministry said the explosion was a “terrorist act.” Internal Security units moved immediately after the incident, imposed a security cordon around the mosque, and relevant authorities began investigating and collecting evidence to pursue those responsible for the attack.
The Flood of Dignity protests come amid ongoing tensions along Syria’s coast since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. Protesters have called for the release of detainees whom they say are mostly civilians arrested during security campaigns carried out by Internal Security forces affiliated with the government.
Similar Flood of Dignity protests were held in cities and rural areas in Latakia and Tartus, as well as in the western countryside of Hama and the al-Ghab Plain, on 25 November. At the time, demonstrators chanted slogans calling to stop the killing and for “federalism,” alongside demands to release detainees arrested after the fall of the former regime. They also carried signs calling for “administrative decentralization,” and rejecting “terrorism” and “uncontrolled weapons,” according to circulating footage.
The Syrian Interior Ministry said Internal Security units worked to secure protest gatherings in Syria’s coastal region to prevent any unforeseen incidents that could be “exploited by parties promoting chaos,” as it put it.
What is the “Alawite Council”?
Last February, a group of Alawites in Syria and the diaspora announced the formation of the “Supreme Alawite Islamic Council.” According to its founding statement, the council consists of two main bodies:
Religious Council: Led by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, and comprising 130 sheikhs from various Syrian governorates. It focuses on religious issues and on establishing a framework to protect the sect’s religious identity.
Executive Council: Includes key offices for politics and public relations, media, economy and relief, legal affairs, coordination, and historical documentation. It aims to develop a comprehensive plan to manage the sect’s affairs during the transitional phase.
Syria’s coastal protests call to “stop the killing” and demand “federalism” Enab Baladi.
Hence then, the article about syria s coastal protests call to stop the killing and demand federalism was published today ( ) and is available on ُEnabbaladi ( Syria ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Syria’s coastal protests call to “stop the killing” and demand “federalism” )
Also on site :
- Teens arrested after large disturbance, multiple fights at Joliet mall
- The Starmer regime is turning Britain into a police state
- Feel Free customers say the kratom drink is making them sick. Toothless FDA rules on dietary supplements are helping it remain a bestseller