Mon Nov 24 18:35:55 UTC 2025: Homs Curfew Extended Amidst Sectarian Tension Following Couple’s Murder
Homs, Syria – Syrian authorities have extended a curfew across several districts of Homs following the discovery of a married couple’s bodies over the weekend, an incident that stoked sectarian tensions in the city. The curfew, initially imposed on Sunday, will continue through Monday evening, encompassing predominantly Alawite, mixed, and Sunni-majority areas, as security forces work to stabilize the region.
The violence was triggered by the deaths of a couple from the Bani Khalid tribe in their home south of Homs. While initial reports suggested sectarian slogans were found at the scene, the Interior Ministry now believes the markings were planted to deliberately incite strife and mislead investigators.
“The evidence suggests a deliberate attempt to inflame sectarian tensions,” said Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba.
Retaliatory actions by armed members of the Bani Khalid tribe, including arson and gunfire in Alawite and mixed neighborhoods, were reported. While no further deaths occurred, residents expressed widespread fear as the unrest escalated.
Security forces have deployed throughout Homs and nearby Zaidal. Authorities have arrested 120 individuals suspected of involvement in the violence, though further details remain unavailable.
The incident poses a significant challenge for the interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power after a rebel offensive ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Homs, historically a diverse city and a flashpoint for sectarian tensions, was a key center of anti-government protests during the 2011 uprising. Al-Sharaa’s government has pledged to protect minority rights in the country.
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