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The Syrian city of Homs is on edge. Recent Alawite protests turned violent. This raises concerns about renewed conflict despite increased security measures.

• Gunfire broke out during protests by the Alawite minority in Homs.
• Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) controls new security forces conducting ID checks.
• Pro-Assad fighters killed 14 near Tartous, highlighting ongoing tensions.

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Essential Context

Homs, Syria, faces rising tension after President Bashar Assad’s fall. Protests by Alawites, a minority group linked to the Assad family, became violent on Wednesday. The trigger: a video appearing to show the vandalism of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo. Government officials claimed the video was old, but it ignited unrest.

Overview paragraph

New security forces are working to keep order in Homs. Homs has a mix of Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawites, and Christians. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) controls these forces. HTS is a former rebel group key to removing Assad. Checkpoints are now common, especially on the road from Damascus. Security forces are checking IDs and searching cars. Clashes occurred in Balqasa, a village in rural Homs province, showing the situation remains unstable. The new reality in Syria is one of shifting power dynamics.

Core Players

• Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): The former rebel group now running security in Homs.
• Alaa Amran: Homs’ new police chief.
• Mohammad Ali Hajj Younes: A local electrician who witnessed the violence firsthand.
• Ahmad al-Bayyaa: An Alawite resident who fled Homs but later returned.
• Pro-Assad militants: Fighters loyal to the former president.

Key Numbers

• 14: People killed in the pro-Assad attack near Tartous on new security forces.
• 10: People wounded in the same attack.
• ~14 years: The approximate length of Syria’s ongoing civil war.
• Multiple: The number of armed groups patrolling Homs.

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The Catalyst

A video showing damage to an Alawite shrine in Aleppo sparked the recent unrest. Even though officials said the video was old, it triggered protests by the Alawite minority in Homs. These protests eventually turned violent.

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Inside Forces

Homs is complex, with numerous armed groups active, including HTS. The new security forces struggle with recruitment and controlling weapons. Many civilians and non-state groups possess arms. The old police force, known for corruption, is gone. New recruitment efforts are underway. The fall of the Assad regime has exposed many issues.

Power Dynamics

HTS now controls security in Homs after leading the fight against Assad. However, other armed groups and remaining Assad loyalists create instability. Some believe outside actors support these loyalists to stir up conflict.

Outside Impact

This violence threatens the fragile peace since Assad’s removal. There are fears Syria could return to sectarian fighting. This would hurt efforts to rebuild after almost 14 years of war.

Future Forces

It’s unclear if former rebel groups will unite into a national army. Al-Sharaa proposed this, but infighting is a risk. The continued presence of many armed groups in Homs suggests ongoing instability.

Data Points

• Checkpoints: Security forces have set up checkpoints across Homs. They are conducting thorough ID checks and car searches.
• Curfew: Authorities implemented a curfew to restore order after the violent protests.
• Balqasa: Clashes were reported in this rural village within the Homs province.
• External Support: There is suspicion that outside groups are backing pro-Assad militants. The goal may be to reignite sectarian conflict.

Key Quotes

• “Some suspicious parties … related to the former regime opened fire on both security forces and demonstrators, and there were some injuries,” – Alaa Amran, Homs Police Chief.
• “The same shabiha who used to come into my shop and rob me, and I couldn’t say anything,” – Mohammad Ali Hajj Younes, local electrician, recalling past experiences.
• “We had been given the idea that there would be slaughter and killing based on our identity, and nothing like that happened,” – Ahmad al-Bayyaa, Alawite resident, on his return to Homs.
• “From what happened yesterday, it’s clear that some people want to take the country backwards,” – Ahmad al-Bayyaa, expressing concern about the future.

The recent violence in Homs highlights the challenges in maintaining peace in post-Assad Syria. The involvement of various factions and the potential for external influence suggest a long road to stability. The US is now in direct talks with Syrian rebels, a sign of the changing times.