Security tension in Salamiyah after incident that sparked protests and arrests

The city of Salamiyah, in the Hama countryside, has been experiencing ongoing security tension since Saturday evening—persisting into this morning—following an incident that sparked public protests and security interventions.

According to local sources, the events began when a group of individuals arriving from rural areas were accused of filming young women on a city street near the Sayyida Zeinab High School. Local youths objected and intervened to stop them, causing the situation at the scene to escalate into a state of tension.

Sources reported that General Security forces intervened to contain the situation and detained several young men. This prompted dozens of local residents to stage a protest outside the Saraya building (the Ismaili Supreme Council), demanding the release of the detainees, an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, and legal action against all those involved—measures intended to defuse tension and preserve civil peace.

In a subsequent development, vehicles carrying armed men from rural areas arrived in the vicinity, leading to altercations and assaults that further heightened tension in the city, amidst a security deployment aimed at restoring order and preventing the escalation from spreading.

A state of high alert and security tension persists in Salamiyah this morning, alongside local calls to calm the situation, expedite a transparent investigation into the events, and hold those found culpable accountable under the law, thereby ensuring the protection of civilians and preventing the recurrence of such incidents.

Sh-S

ANHA