Heavy security deployment in Syria’s Homs after killing of couple

Syrian army soldiers walk past an abandoned cinema in downtown Homs, Syria, on Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
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Updated 24 November 2025
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Heavy security deployment in Syria’s Homs after killing of couple

  • Curfew imposed as part of measures to prevent the murder from being exploited to incite sectarian discord, said Homs security chief
  • The official said sectarian slogans were found at the crime scene, indicating an attempt to provoke discord among the community

HOMS, Syria: The southern neighborhoods of Homs are witnessing a heavy security presence as a curfew begins this evening. The measures aim to contain tensions following a murder that occurred earlier in the day in the town of Zaidal, south of the city, where a man and his wife were found killed.

Internal security forces are working to enhance safety, maintain stability, and prevent the crime from being exploited to incite sectarian discord.

Earlier this morning, Zaidal witnessed a horrific murder, where a man and his wife were found dead in their home. Sectarian slogans were discovered at the crime scene, suggesting an attempt to incite strife among residents.

According to a SANA correspondent, the southern neighborhoods of Homs are currently calm, while security forces continue efforts to manage the situation and restore stability to the city.

Simultaneously, the Homs governorate held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in the city and explore ways to strengthen stability and prevent any signs of chaos.

The Ministry of Interior announced that internal security forces have raised their alert level and deployed heavily in and around Zaidal and several areas in southern Homs to ensure security and protect stability following the murder of the couple, and to prevent any exploitation of the incident to stir unrest.

The ministry stated on its Telegram channel that the relevant authorities are carrying out legal procedures and collecting evidence to identify and pursue the perpetrators, urging citizens to cooperate and adhere to official directives.

Brigadier General Murhaf Al-Nassan, head of internal security in Homs, confirmed earlier today that the town of Zaidal witnessed a gruesome murder in which a man and his wife were found dead in their home. Sectarian slogans were found at the crime scene, indicating an attempt to provoke discord among the community.

In a statement published on the Ministry of Interior’s Telegram channel, Brigadier General Al-Nassan said that upon receiving the report, the relevant authorities immediately initiated all necessary legal procedures, including securing the crime scene, collecting evidence, and launching a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances of the crime, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. All measures have been taken to ensure the protection of civilians and the stability of the area.

He added: “We strongly condemn this heinous crime and affirm that its clear aim is to ignite sectarian rhetoric and sow discord among members of the community. We call on our honorable citizens to remain calm, avoid any reactions, and leave the investigation to the internal security forces, who are carrying out their duties with responsibility and impartiality to apprehend the perpetrators and enforce security.”

The internal security forces affirmed their firm stance against any attempt to destabilize civil peace or disrupt societal stability in the region.


Syria’s growth accelerates as sanctions ease, refugees return

Updated 06 December 2025
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Syria’s growth accelerates as sanctions ease, refugees return

  • Economy grows much faster than World Bank’s 1% estimate, fueling plans for currency’s relaunch

NEW YORK: Syria’s economy is growing much faster than the World Bank’s 1 percent estimate for 2025 as refugees flow back after the end of a 14-year civil war, fueling plans for the relaunch of the country’s currency and efforts to build a new Middle East financial hub, central bank Governor AbdulKader Husrieh has said.

Speaking via video link at a conference in New York, Husrieh also said he welcomed a deal with Visa to establish digital payment systems and added that the country is working with the International Monetary Fund to develop methods to accurately measure economic data to reflect the resurgence. 

The Syrian central bank chief, who is helping guide the war-torn country’s reintegration into the global economy after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime about a year ago, described the repeal of many US sanctions against Syria as “a miracle.”

The US Treasury on Nov. 10 announced a 180-day extension of the suspension of the so-called Caesar sanctions against Syria; lifting them entirely requires approval by the US Congress. 

Husrieh said that based on discussions with US lawmakers, he expects the sanctions to be repealed by the end of 2025, ending “the last episode of the sanctions.”

“Once this happens, this will give comfort to our potential correspondent banks about dealing with Syria,” he said.

Husrieh also said that Syria was working to revamp regulations aimed at combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, which he said would provide further assurances to international lenders. 

Syria’s central bank has recently organized workshops with banks from the US, Turkiye, Jordan and Australia to discuss due diligence in reviewing transactions, he added.

Husrieh said that Syria is preparing to launch a new currency in eight note denominations and confirmed plans to remove two zeroes from them in a bid to restore confidence in the battered pound.

“The new currency will be a signal and symbol for this financial liberation,” Husrieh said. “We are glad that we are working with Visa and Mastercard,” Husrieh said.