Political Activist to Welat TV: Syria’s Coast Calls for Federalism and an End to Violations and Collective Punishment
Welat TV – Erbil
Political activist Mazen Mohammad stressed that the only viable solution for Syria, encompassing all its components, lies in adopting broad administrative decentralization, and potentially moving toward a federal system.
In an interview with Welat TV on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Mohammad said that the aim of this proposal is to preserve Syria’s unity through a participatory system of governance that fulfills shared aspirations and ensures security and peace for all Syrians.
He noted that the Alawite community seeks to live in peace with other Syrians within a single country and to earn a living without being subjected to punishment for actions they did not commit. Mohammad added that their core demand is to manage their own regions, without the imposition of governance models from outside, emphasizing that local residents must play a central role in administering their own affairs.
He further underscored the importance of protecting communities by their own people, through reaching a formula for coexistence within a unified state, while retaining substantial authority over local administration and ensuring that security and safety remain under local community control.
Violations and Casualties During Protests on the Syrian Coast
Mohammad affirmed that the sit-ins and demonstrations witnessed along the Syrian coast were entirely peaceful, stressing that protesters took to the streets to demand security and safety, and that targeting unarmed civilians inside their homes is unacceptable. He reported violations against civilians at al-Azhari and al-Zira’a roundabouts in the city of Latakia, noting that armed civilians opened fire on demonstrators.
As a result, several protesters were killed and injured in both Latakia and Tartous, with six fatalities recorded in Tartous, in addition to numerous wounded. He also pointed to a vehicular ramming incident during the demonstrations, which caused serious injuries among protesters.
According to Mohammad, violence and systematic violations against the Alawite community have intensified, particularly following the bombing of the Imam Ali Mosque in Homs, alongside daily assassinations, kidnappings of women, the dismissal of employees from their jobs, and the adoption of a policy of collective punishment.
Criticism of the Government
Narrative Mohammad argued that these developments were what drove residents to take to the streets in response to the call by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, asserting that the official government narrative does not reflect reality. He said the authorities should have provided protection and opened channels for dialogue, rather than relying on what he described as the “remnants” narrative.
He concluded by emphasizing that there is no justification whatsoever for casualties during peaceful sit-ins, stressing the need to protect civilians and guarantee their right to peaceful expression of their demands.