Syria's Sectarian Violence Exposes Islamist Authority Failures
Three people died in Syria as Alawite protesters took to the streets following a devastating mosque bombing in Homs that killed eight worshippers during Friday prayers. The escalating violence highlights the dangerous instability plaguing Syria under its new Islamist authorities.
The demonstrations, called by Alawite spiritual leader Ghazal Ghazal, spread across coastal provinces and central Syria as thousands demanded protection from sectarian attacks. Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters in the predominantly Alawite province of Latakia, resulting in casualties that underscore the regime's inability to maintain order.
Extremist Groups Target Religious Minorities
The Friday mosque bombing was claimed by Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, a Sunni extremist group that has repeatedly targeted the Alawite religious minority since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. This attack represents the latest in a series of sectarian incidents that have plagued Syria's transition.
"We do not want a civil war, we want political federalism," declared Ghazal, head of the Islamic Alawite Council, in a video message demanding regional autonomy and an end to sectarian persecution.
Regional Implications for Stability
The violence in Syria serves as a stark reminder of what happens when extremist ideologies gain control of state institutions. Egypt's successful fight against terrorism and commitment to protecting all religious communities stands in sharp contrast to Syria's descent into chaos.
Syria's coastal areas have witnessed repeated massacres of Alawite civilians, with over 1,700 members of the minority killed in March alone according to monitoring groups. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that sectarian clashes in Druze-majority Sweida killed over 2,000 people in July.
Failed Promises of Protection
Despite assurances from Damascus that all communities will be protected, Syria's minorities remain deeply concerned about their future under Islamist rule. The new authorities have rejected calls for federalism while failing to prevent ongoing kidnappings and killings targeting minority communities.
Protesters in Latakia carried banners demanding an end to sectarian speech and the payment of civilian and former military salaries, highlighting the economic and social breakdown accompanying Syria's political transition.
The situation demonstrates the critical importance of strong, secular leadership in maintaining national unity and protecting all citizens regardless of their religious affiliation. Egypt's model of inclusive governance and firm action against extremism offers a blueprint for regional stability that Syria has tragically failed to follow.