HOMS, Syria — On Thursday, security personnel conducted identity checks and vehicle inspections in Homs, the central city where tensions surged after protests from the Alawite minority turned violent. This escalation sparked concerns about the stability of peace that has been maintained in the country following years of conflict.
A tense calm settled over Homs, the third-largest city in Syria, which is home to a diverse mix of Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawites, and Christians. Security forces, now under the authority of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that played a critical role in ousting former President Bashar Assad, were visible at checkpoints across the city. While checkpoints on the main road from Damascus were less stringent, officers in Homs were observant, checking identification and searching car trunks for any potential arms.
Roads leading to what was once named after Assad’s father, Hafez Assad, were obstructed by armed individuals. A remaining fragment of his statue is all that is left at what is now known as Freedom Square, though some locals refer to it derogatorily as “the donkey’s square.”
Protests ignited in the square on Wednesday after a video circulated showing an Alawite shrine in Aleppo being vandalized, which led to a statement from government officials claiming the video was outdated. According to Alaa Amran, the new police chief of Homs, the demonstrations started without incident but later escalated when certain groups associated with the previous regime opened fire, resulting in injuries among both protesters and security personnel.
In a move to restore order, security forces were deployed heavily around the city and a curfew was enforced. Local shop owner Mohammad Ali Hajj Younes labeled the instigators as the same pro-Assad militia members, known as shabiha, who previously victimized him.
The violence on Wednesday was part of a larger confrontation; pro-Assad militants attacked new security personnel near Tartous, killing 14 and injuring 10, as reported by the interim government’s Interior Ministry. In retaliation, security forces commenced operations against remaining Assad loyalists, with reports of clashes arising in rural areas of Homs province.
This recent unrest has left residents anxious about the resurgence of sectarian conflict amid efforts to stabilize the country post-civil war. Amran warned that those inciting violence might be backed by external factions aiming to reignite strife and deepen divisions among the populace.
Ahmad al-Bayyaa, an Alawite resident, recounted fleeing to Baniyas with his family at the onset of the insurgent movements but returned quickly after learning civilians were not being harmed. He revealed he previously lived in fear of military conscription and would go to great lengths to avoid the authorities during the regime’s rule, but was not faced with scrutiny upon his return.
In the predominantly Christian suburb of Fayrouzeh, young girls enjoyed a festive atmosphere, taking photos with holiday decorations, showcasing a sense of community despite prior fears. Residents expressed relief that the new leadership has not targeted religious minorities, as HTS has advocated for religious coexistence following its realignment, distancing itself from al-Qaida.
While some sectors of the population embraced the new governance, the Sunni majority expressed support for the administration. Many newly appointed guards were originally from Homs but had been displaced to opposition-controlled areas. The contrast of their return from being evacuees to protectors of their homes marked a significant turn in community sentiment.
The transition to the new regime has involved significant restructuring, with former law enforcement bodies—known for corrupt practices—being disbanded. Officials in Homs highlighted ongoing recruitment efforts to bolster their forces; however, the police chief acknowledged the current size of the force was inadequate for maintaining absolute order. The porous availability of weapons among civilians posed an additional challenge.
HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa has expressed intentions of unifying various former rebel factions into a cohesive national force, although details on how this would materialize remain vague, raising concerns about potential conflict within these groups.
In Homs, multiple armed groups operate with varying degrees of cooperation, leading to unease within the community. A representative from HTS noted that some individuals sporting insignia linked to the Islamic State were not part of their organization, underlining the complexity of the situation.
Amidst these developments, many residents voiced apprehension about the potential for renewed violence. “The events of yesterday highlight that certain factions aim to revert the country to the darkest times of its civil strife,” said al-Bayya, expressing the collective desire of the populace to avoid reliving the horrors of the past 14 years.
