Homs: Christian family returned from Kuwait threatened with violence unless it pays protection money in Homs

A Christian family that owns the "Beit al-Aila" shop in Homs's al-Nuzha neighbourhood has received extortion threats after a man in civilian clothes came to the shop claiming to carry a message from the security militias and demanded $500 monthly in exchange for leaving the shop and family alone, according to local sources on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

According to the shop owner, the threats included shooting at the shop, assaulting family members, smashing the shop and the car, and planting narcotics in the shop to frame them.

The family returned to Homs about two months ago after 26 years in Kuwait. They reported the threats, and the Internal Security Forces sent teams to take their statements and assigned a patrol to protect the family and the shop.