Syrian authorities arrest 21 people allegedly linked to Assad regime in Latakia

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Lattakia: Syrian authorities arrested 21 people in the coastal province of Latakia for alleged links to former president Bashar al-Assad’s rule, as a curfew was imposed in the provincial capital following a night of sectarian violence, state media reported.

State television said security forces detained what it described as “former regime remnants” accused of criminal acts, sectarian incitement and attacks on internal security forces. The arrests came after unrest erupted in predominantly Alawite neighbourhoods of Latakia city.

An overnight curfew, in effect until 6:00am (0300 GMT) Wednesday, was imposed across the city, which is part of Syria’s Alawite coastal heartland but also includes several Sunni-majority areas. The violence followed protests by thousands of Alawites after a deadly mosque bombing, amid rising sectarian tensions.

Residents were cleaning up damage on Tuesday after cars were vandalised and shops attacked during the unrest. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a young Alawite man was shot dead after being chased by several assailants.

Authorities said security forces had been reinforced in the province. Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said Syria rejected “any acts of sabotage or attacks that affect the dignity of citizens or their property,” adding that legal action would be taken against those responsible.

Tensions have remained high since the ouster of Assad in December, with the Alawite minority repeatedly targeted. On Friday, a bombing at a mosque in an Alawite area of Homs killed eight people. The attack was claimed by Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, an Islamist militant group analysts say is linked to Islamic State (IS).

In March, hundreds of Alawites were killed in sectarian massacres along the coast. Despite assurances from Damascus that all communities will be protected, minority groups continue to express concern about their security under Syria’s new authorities.