Three killed in protests by Alawite community in Syria. (Reuters)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. A protest was organized on Sunday in Latakia, an Alawite-dominated area of Syria. It later turned violent, resulting in the death of three people. The demonstration was organized after the deadly bombing of the Alawite mosque in Syria.
Syria's longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, who comes from the Muslim Alawite minority, was ousted from power last year. A Sunni-led government took power in his place. Since then there have been several incidents of sectarian violence in Syria.
Thousands of Alawite protesters gathered in Azhari Square in downtown Latakia on Sunday to demand a decentralized political system in Syria and the release of thousands of Alawite prisoners. Two hours after the demonstration began, gunshots were heard from an unknown location.
Security forces opened fire in the air and the demonstration turned violent. Three people were killed and more than 40 were injured. It is unclear whether all the casualties occurred in Azhari Square or in other cities where demonstrations were taking place.
(With inputs from news agency Reuters)