Syrian coast sees rare protests urging freedom for detained ex-regime figures

Demonstrations and sit-ins took place on Tuesday in several areas of the Tartus and Latakia governorates, as well as in parts of Homs and Hama, calling for decentralisation and the release of detainees, amid a heavy deployment of Syrian internal security forces.

According to Syria TV, gatherings were held at the Agriculture Roundabout and the Azhari Roundabout in Latakia under strict security measures. Protesters demanded the release of relatives detained by the Syrian government, many of whom—largely from the Alawite community—are accused of involvement in crimes and violations during the era of the ousted Assad regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that protests were concentrated at the Azhari, Agriculture, Revolution and Amara roundabouts in the coastal city of Jableh. Demonstrators chanted against the current conditions, calling for an end to injustice, a halt to killings, and the release of detainees.

Security forces were deployed in large numbers across key areas of Latakia, including the Azhari, Thawra and Zira’a roundabouts, as well as Al-Hammam Square. Several main roads, including Jableh Bridge and the ring road, were closed in an effort to contain the spread of demonstrations.