Security Tensions Rise in Syria’s Latakia After Neighborhood Incursions

Security Tensions Rise in Syria’s Latakia After Neighborhood Incursions
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Security tensions escalated in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia on Monday evening after groups described by local sources as supporters of the transitional authorities entered predominantly Alawite neighborhoods, damaging public and private property. Witnesses reported the chanting of sectarian slogans, heightening fear among residents amid already strained conditions.

According to local accounts, several shop fronts were vandalized in the al-Zira’a neighborhood, while parked vehicles were damaged in areas with Alawite majorities. The incidents occurred against a backdrop of mounting tension in the city over recent days, prompting concerns about further unrest and civilian safety.

In response, internal security forces deployed patrols across major streets in Latakia in an effort to restore order and prevent the violence from spreading. Authorities have not released an official statement detailing arrests or accountability, while residents warned that the situation remains volatile.

Separately, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the killing of a young Alawite man in northern Hama province after he was shot by unidentified gunmen. The developments coincided with recent protests in several cities and the reported arrest of an Alawite religious figure in Tartous, underscoring rising security and sectarian tensions in parts of Syria.