Curfew Imposed in Homs Amid Rising Tensions Over Sectarian Unrest

In response to growing unrest, Syrian authorities have imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported. The unrest, which is said to be linked to demonstrations led by members of the Alawite and Shiite Muslim communities, has sparked tensions in the region. Although the exact demands of the protesters remain unclear, residents believe the demonstrations are connected to rising pressure and violence against the Alawite minority, a group traditionally loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by Sunni Islamist rebels on December 8.

According to state reports, the curfew, which runs from 6 pm to 8 am, is a precautionary measure to maintain order in the face of unrest. The Syrian police's decision to impose the curfew follows violent clashes in Syria’s coastal region, particularly in Homs, where residents report that demonstrators voiced their grievances, allegedly sparked by recent violence against the Alawite community.

While a video showing a fire inside an Alawite shrine in Aleppo circulated on social media, the Syrian Interior Ministry has claimed that the video dates back to late November, during a rebel offensive, and that it was being shared now to incite sectarian strife. The ministry emphasized that the violence in the video was carried out by unknown groups. Nonetheless, these incidents have stoked fears of escalating sectarian violence in the country.

Small-scale protests have also erupted in nearby cities such as Tartous, Latakia, and Qardaha, which is the hometown of Bashar al-Assad. As tensions mount, Syria's new ruling administration, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, faces the challenge of maintaining stability while managing the delicate balance between the country’s various sectarian communities.

These demonstrations reflect the ongoing struggles within Syria's fractured society, with the Alawite community fearing retribution and violence from the new leadership. Syria's Interior Ministry has also reported deadly clashes with forces loyal to Assad's former regime. The escalating violence and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Alawite community reflect the deep-rooted sectarian divisions that continue to shape the nation’s political landscape.