Damascus, Syria - This week, tensions in Syria skyrocketed after a video allegedly depicting an attack on a cherished Alawite shrine went viral and sparked widespread protests. Allegedly shot years ago, the video has just made a reappearance on social media, sparking new fury in a nation already struggling with sectarian divisions and a tenuous peace.
Story Background, the video, which went viral on social media, depicts armed combatants attacking the Maysaloon shrine, which holds significant value for the Alawite minority. Five workers were murdered in the attack, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), and the shrine was burned. The video is thought to have been taken earlier in December, right after opposition forces under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began a swift offensive that gained a large amount of territory, including Aleppo on December
Protests broke out in a number of places as word of the film spread, with hundreds of people flocking to the streets in Assad's hometown of Qardaha and coastal strongholds like Tartus and Latakia. According to witnesses, protesters sang slogans that emphasized a desire for unity despite the escalating tensions and called for peace among sects. Local authorities implemented curfews in a number of locations, including Homs and Jableh, in reaction to the worsening situation as a preventative measure against additional disturbances.
Community Settlement, The demonstrations are a manifestation of the Alawite community's long-standing concerns about its safety and future under the new Islamist-led government. Outrage over what they see as persistent abuses against their community was voiced by protesters. "For now... we are listening to calls for calm," said one Latakian protester, but cautioned that too much pressure could cause their community to respond explosively.
The demonstrations that followed the video's broadcast highlight a pivotal point for Syria's Alawite population as they negotiate an unpredictable political environment. The incidents underline the possibility of sectarian tensions resurfacing in the midst of continuous political unrest and serve as a reminder of how precarious the calm in Syria is. The situation is still unstable while officials deal with these issues, and many people worry that more unrest could spark deadly clashes in a country already ravaged by conflict.
