In and near the city of Latakia (Syria) I saw three red/yellow flags I could not identify:
simple horizontal red over yellow;
divided horizontally and vertically, with the upper hoist quarter and the lower fly quarter red, the other two quarters yellow;
a yellow Scandinavian cross on red, just like Scania.
I suspect that these flags could be some symbol for the Islamic confession (or sect) of Alawites, who live mainly there in the northwestern part of Syria. In spite of being a minority they are very influential, as the Syrian president Hafez al Assad is an Alawite.
Marcus Schmöger, 09 May 1997
I want to tell that the flags you suspected of being a symbol of the Alawites actually relate to a sport club in Lattakia, called "Teshreen" ("October").