Recent events along the Syrian coast, marked by protests and violence, have raised critical questions about their true nature and underlying causes. Are these actions genuine expressions of internal discontent, or a calculated attempt to destabilize the region? The cities of Latakia, Jableh, and Tartus witnessed simultaneous protests, some of which turned violent. According to the official SANA news agency, these incidents resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to approximately 60 others, attributed to attacks by remnants of the ousted regime.
Some protesters voiced demands including calls for autonomy and political federalism in the Syrian coastal region, an end to alleged sectarian abuses, and the release of detainees held by the Bashar al-Assad regime. These demands reportedly align with the views of Ghazal Ghazal, head of the self-proclaimed Supreme Alawi Islamic Council in Syria and abroad.
However, writer and political analyst Muayad Ghazlan Qablawi argues that these actions do not represent the Alawi community or the residents of the coast. He suggests that the calls for protests originated from outside Syria, instigated by Ghazal Ghazal, with tacit instructions to use violence to solidify the protest positions. Qablawi believes this is an attempt by a specific political faction to monopolize representation of the coastal region, despite its diverse composition. He emphasizes that the area cannot be politically or geographically reduced to a single entity.
Qablawi also highlighted the timing of the events, noting their coincidence with the bombing of a mosque in Homs and the increasing calls for decentralization. He believes these actions are part of a broader strategy by a “coalition benefiting from destabilization” to disrupt the Syrian landscape during periods of political uncertainty.
Liqa Makki, a senior researcher at the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, views the events as a pre-planned operation designed to incite chaos, rather than spontaneous protests. Makki points to reports in Arab and international media suggesting the involvement of regime remnants abroad and a potential regional role, amidst conflicting interests and pressures related to domestic and regional issues.
The government’s response to these events is reportedly influenced by a fear of using security forces in the coastal region, fearing accusations of sectarian bias.
