Syria extends Homs curfew as authorities probe Zaidal homicide PHOTO

Authorities in Homs have extended a temporary curfew across several districts of the city until 5 p.m. on November 24, following a security lockdown introduced the previous evening. 

The curfew was initially imposed from 5 p.m. on November 23 until 5 a.m. on November 24, Caliber.Az reports per Syrian media.

The order covers the neighbourhoods of al-Abbasiya, al-Armen, al-Muhajirin, al-Zahra, al-Nuzha, Akrama, al-Naziheen, Ashira, Zaidal, Karm al-Zaytoun, Karm al-Louze, Hayy al-Wuroud and the Police Housing area.

The Internal Security Directorate urged residents to comply with the instructions in order to ensure their safety and allow ongoing field operations to continue.

The measures coincide with the Interior Ministry’s announcement that additional security units had been deployed to the town of Zaidal and several areas south of Homs. Security forces have expanded their presence across the city, tightening checkpoints and conducting foot and vehicle patrols as part of the temporary curfew.

Officials say the steps form part of a broader security plan aimed at preventing disturbances, protecting public and private property, and ensuring the recent killing in Zaidal is not exploited to fuel tension or instability.

The ministry added that investigators are continuing to gather evidence and pursue suspects, calling on residents to cooperate with official directives.

The curfew follows the discovery on the morning of November 23 of a man and his wife found dead inside their home in the town of Zaidal. Authorities reported that provocative, sectarian-leaning phrases had been left at the scene.

Maj. Gen. Marhaf al-Naassan, head of Internal Security in Homs, said officers had immediately cordoned off the area, collected evidence and opened a wide-ranging investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.

In the aftermath of the incident, security forces and units of the Syrian army deployed to the al-Muhajirin district of Homs after an armed group from the Bani Khalid tribe carried out an attack, firing indiscriminately and entering several homes and shops. The assault caused significant alarm among residents.

By Aghakazim Guliyev