Thousands of members of the Alawite community took to the streets on Sunday in protests across Syria’s coastal region and central areas following a bombing that targeted a mosque frequented by members of the sect, killing eight people.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported outbreaks of violence in Homs, Latakia, and Jableh, resulting in injuries among protesters.

The demonstrations coincided with heavy security measures and road closures, as protesters stressed the peaceful nature of their movement and their commitment to civil and political rights, as well as the right to self-determination.