Syrian Alawites Begin Mass Protests Against Government Violence
Syrian citizens of the Alawite minority sect took to the streets on 28 December to protest against government violence and sectarian persecution, in line with a call made by the community’s religious leader a day earlier.
Members of the minority sect protested in the Alawite neighborhoods of the central governorate of Homs, and in several towns and cities on the country’s coast, including Tartous, Jableh, and Latakia.
Protests also erupted in Hama governorate, including in the city of Masyaf.
Alawite Syrians held up banners reading “Federalism is the solution” and “the blood of Alawites is not cheap,” among other slogans.