Holmes. Clashes broke out between protesters from the Alawite community and counter-protesters in Syria, leaving four dead and dozens injured. The clashes came two days after a bombing at a mosque in the city of Homs, which killed eight people and injured 18, according to health officials. Thousands of Alawite protesters took to the streets, raising their voice against the killings, arrests, dismissals from jobs and discrimination against the Alawite community. Some protesters also demanded a federal system. During the clashes, pro-government protesters in Latakia threw stones at Alawite protesters. The security forces tried to separate the two sides and dispersed the crowd by firing in the air.