Egypt on ‘high alert’ after Assad’s fall, Syrians arrested for celebrations

Egyptian authorities have placed the country under an “undeclared state of high alert” following the ousting of Syria’s former dictator Bashar Al-Assad. No pro-Syria celebrations or protests have been permitted, with security agencies acting swiftly to suppress gatherings, according to the New Arab citing sources.

The Egyptian presidency has ordered the armed forces to prepare for potential unrest, deploying troops in key areas. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and may extend his European tour until stability is assured, a presidential source told the outlet.

Early on Sunday, Egyptian security forces arrested 17 Syrians celebrating Al-Assad’s downfall in 6th of October City, a hub for Syrian refugees. Discussions within the interior ministry are reportedly underway to determine whether the detainees will face deportation. “There would be no tolerance shown towards any such moves,” a security source was quoted as saying.

For the thousands of Syrian entrepreneurs who established businesses in Egypt, returning “won’t happen overnight,” 36-year-old chef Mohamed Al-Shami told AFP, “but we will return.”

#Syrians in #Egypt celebrate the downfall of the Assad regime. pic.twitter.com/ggrjaJ9Wbq

— Al-Estiklal English (@alestiklalen) December 8, 2024

The Syria AlGad Relief Foundation has urged Syrians in Egypt to avoid unauthorised gatherings, warning of arrests as videos of celebrations in Cairo spread online. Public protests have been illegal in Egypt without prior security approval since 2016.

Egypt hosts approximately two million Syrian refugees, many fleeing the war over the past decade. The government has instructed media outlets to emphasise stability and warn against upheaval, with TV hosts speculating about potential Islamist insurgency.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement, expressing support for Syria’s sovereignty and urging all parties to prioritise national interests. Meanwhile, the ministry has advised Egyptians in Syria to avoid conflict zones and register with the embassy in Damascus amid escalating clashes.

Despite the developments, Al-Sisi has yet to comment publicly, leaving Egypt’s official stance on Al-Assad’s fall ambiguous.

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