Security Alert in Syria’s Coast After Calls for Peaceful Sit-Ins

Cities and towns along the Syrian coast witnessed a state of security alert on Tuesday, following a call by the spiritual leader of the Alawite community and head of the Higher Alawite Islamic Council, Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, to organize peaceful sit-ins in protest against the violations faced by members of the community, according to local sources.

Forces affiliated with the Interim Government deployed security convoys and checkpoints in several areas of western Hama countryside, including Salhab, Deir Shmiel, Nahr al-Bared, and al-Saqaliyya, as part of tightened measures to prevent gatherings.

Sheikh Ghazal had called on citizens to participate in the sit-ins to protest what he described as “kidnapping, killing, and humiliation of dignity” endured by members of the community, demanding the release of detainees and an end to acts of violence and violations.

The call triggered mixed reactions on social media; several pages expressed support for the sit-ins, while pages close to the Interim Government issued warnings against participation, citing the possibility of participants facing arrest or clashes with security forces.

These developments come amid growing demands within the Alawite community to follow up on the recent incidents of violence in the coastal region and neighborhoods of Homs, including attacks attributed to groups from the Bedouins of Bani Khalid, in an effort to draw attention to the humanitarian and security situation in the area.