Curfews Declared in Central Syrian Cities Following Protests and Unrest

Al-Arman neighborhood in Homs, predominantly Alawite – North Press
Al-Arman neighborhood in Homs, predominantly Alawite – North Press

HOMS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Interim Government announced a curfew in several central and western cities on Wednesday evening following riots and protests sparked by reports of an attack on an Alawite religious shrine in Aleppo.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, led by Alawite Bashar al-Assad, the Military Operations Administration—comprising Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and other factions—has taken over security responsibilities and deployed patrols across Syrian cities.

Syrian state media reported that “Homs Police Command imposed a curfew in the province from 6 PM to 8 AM due to the events triggered by the circulation of videos and reports of an attack on Sheikh Al-Khaseebi shrine in Aleppo.”

Sham FM, a state-affiliated radio station, also reported that the Jableh City Council in Latakia declared a curfew from 8 PM to 8 AM.

Protests reportedly spread to Tartus, rural Homs, and rural Hama in areas inhabited by Alawite and Shia communities. Security agencies issued warnings about ambushes by remnants of the former regime in protest-hit areas.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Interim Government’s Ministry of Interior announced that two members of its police force were killed in Tartus during clashes related to demonstrations condemning the burning of a shrine in Aleppo.

The ministry also stated that reinforcements had been sent to Homs to restore order and curb acts of vandalism.