Latakia Armenians stay indoors amid ongoing clashes

PanARMENIAN.Net - Clashes between government forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad continue in Syria’s coastal cities, though the situation in Latakia is relatively calm, according to Zarmik Pogikyan, editor-in-chief of Aleppo’s Gandzasar newspaper.

She stated that residents avoid going outside, Armenpress reports.

"Security forces have been deployed in the city, conducting searches to prevent potential threats. In general, residents are extremely cautious and refrain from leaving their homes. A similar situation prevails in Tartus and Baniyas, where the Armenian population is small, and some have relocated to Aleppo for safety. Meanwhile, Latakia has a relatively large Armenian community, but they remain indoors due to ongoing gunfire in some parts of the city. However, central districts are relatively calm today," Pogikyan said.

Regarding the Armenian community’s situation, he detailed that on March 8, two Armenians were killed when they were fired upon while returning to Latakia. Additionally, there are concerns over a shortage of food and medicine, as movement is nearly paralyzed. Water supply is occasionally cut off, and electricity is completely unavailable.

"Both churches and schools are closed." The Ministry of Education has announced the closure of educational institutions for at least two days until the situation stabilizes, she added.

Nairi Karapetyan, a correspondent for the Armenian Gandzasar newspaper in Latakia, also confirmed that the situation remains tense, with ongoing clashes and gunfire being heard across the city, though the Armenian community lacks precise information, reports Pastinfo.

Shee emphasized that community leaders have advised residents to stay indoors.

According to Karapetyan, most information comes from Arab TV channels and the sounds of gunfire outside.

"Security forces are trying to regain control of the situation. A curfew was imposed last night until 10 a.m., but it was later extended until 9 p.m. The Armenian community is now waiting for the situation to calm down," she said, adding that Armenian educational and religious institutions will reopen only once full stability is ensured.

*Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that the ongoing clashes were expected, framing them as part of anticipated tensions, particularly efforts by former regime supporters to destabilize Latakia.

Latakia’s governor, Mohammad Osman, referred to Alawites as “a sect”, stressing that “certain groups are inciting rebellion in Syria’s coastal regions, where Alawites form the majority.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 700 Alawite civilians have been killed, bringing the total death toll to 1,018.*