In the wake of sectarian tensions, a fragile calm has descended on Homs, Syria, following recent outbreaks of violence that have threatened the already tenuous peace in the city. Security forces have bolstered their presence, checking IDs and searching vehicles amid fears of further unrest sparked by protests from the Alawite minority.
Syria’s newly-formed security forces, primarily led by former insurgents from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, have taken control in Homs, a city marked by its diverse religious communities. These forces, which played a crucial role in the ousting of the previous regime, are now responsible for maintaining order, particularly after recent disturbances tied to sectarian discord.
On Wednesday, tensions flared in the city’s Alawite community after a video emerged showing the desecration of a sacred site in Aleppo. Although the video was dismissed by government officials as outdated, it incited protests that quickly escalated when factions loyal to the former regime allegedly opened fire. Alaa Amran, the new police chief, reported that this led to a swift response from security forces to re-establish order, including the imposition of a curfew.
This unrest is a fragment of a broader wave of violence that erupted, including a deadly encounter in Tartous where pro-Assad elements attacked the new governing security forces, resulting in numerous casualties. These developments have left residents anxious about the potential return to sectarian conflict, a recurring threat in a region recovering from over a decade of civil strife.
Local accounts, such as those from Ahmad al-Bayyaa, an Alawite resident, depict a complex picture. Having fled his neighborhood temporarily, he recounts returning to find a sense of cautious normalcy, despite the pervasive atmosphere of fear that had previously gripped the Alawite community.
In contrast, the predominantly Christian areas of Homs experienced a collective sigh of relief as initial fears of targeted violence proved unfounded. Sarab Kashi, a resident of Fayrouzeh, described a relatively peaceful holiday season, attributing their security to patrols by HTS members who have since emphasized religious tolerance under Ahmad al-Sharaa’s leadership.
Despite this tentative calm, the threat of armed violence lingers. Various factions patrol Homs, reflecting the ongoing challenge of uniting disparate groups under a single national force, as envisioned by the new leadership. The presence of non-state actors, some with links to extremist ideologies, remains a concern, with officials like Alaa Amran acknowledging the difficulties in fully securing the region.
As Homs navigates these challenges, the city stands at a crossroads—between the relative peace it currently enjoys and a potential slide back into conflict as different groups vie for influence.
The situation in Homs highlights the precarious balance of power in post-conflict Syria. While the current peace holds, the underlying tensions and the presence of armed factions underscore the difficulties in achieving lasting stability. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this tentative peace can be maintained or whether the city will again witness the horrors of sectarian violence.
Source: News4jax
