Syrian Interior Ministry Arrests 120 Suspects in Homs Attacks, Rules Out Sectarian Motive
The Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson, Nour Al-Din Al-Baba, told Al Jazeera that about 120 suspects have been detained in connection with attacks on residents in the central city of Homs.
The ministry confirmed on Monday that initial investigations into the murder of a man and his wife in the town of Zaidal, east of Homs, indicate that the motive was purely criminal, not sectarian, despite some attempts to suggest otherwise by writing sectarian slogans at the crime scene.
Al-Baba said in a press conference from Homs that the slogans were intended to cover up the crime and incite sectarian tension, and that there is no material evidence pointing to a sectarian nature of the incident.
He added that the inscriptions were meant to mislead the public, noting that clarifying the case’s details is imminent. He also called on Homs residents to “exercise awareness and wisdom” and thanked local elders and Arab tribes “who stood against chaos and incitement.”
Meanwhile, the head of internal security in Homs, Brigadier General Marhaf Al-Nassan, visited the victims’ family, Abdullah Al-Aboud Al-Nasser and his wife, affirming that the authorities are carefully following up on investigations and taking all necessary legal measures to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent similar incidents.
Homs Police Chief, Colonel Bilal Al-Aswad, confirmed that the security situation in the city is stable and calm after the deployment of security and army units in neighborhoods that experienced unrest on Sunday night.
He emphasized, “All evidence indicates that the crime is criminal in nature, not sectarian or revenge-motivated,” noting ongoing arrests related to recent events.
Authorities had imposed a nighttime curfew in several Homs neighborhoods, extended until Monday evening, following random gunfire and minor acts of vandalism, after which life gradually returned to normal. The Directorate of Education also suspended school for one day as a precaution.
As investigations continue, officials stress that attempts to stir sectarian tension failed quickly thanks to the cooperation of residents and local tribes, while security forces continue to sweep affected areas to prevent any new unrest.
