Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has labeled the recent escalation of conflicts in Syria as a ‘provocation’ against the Syrian government. Speaking specifically about attacks on Alawites in Latakia, Syria, Fidan stated that the policy pursued by the Syrian government without any provocation for weeks is being destabilized by such provocations. Meanwhile, dramatic scenes continue to unfold in Syria, with over 1,300 people losing their lives in clashes, marking some of the deadliest since the 13-year civil war began. These clashes are occurring between loyal supporters of the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, and the ruling Islamists in the country.