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Security agencies in Egypt have placed the country over the past hours under an "undeclared state of high alert" following the downfall of Syria's former dictator Bashar Al-Assad, as neither have pro-Syria celebrations nor protests been allowed anywhere in Egypt.

The armed forces, meanwhile, have been in a state of readiness as orders came directly from the presidency for troops to be deployed on the streets of Egypt in case riots erupt, or even potential chaos is anticipated, a source inside the presidency told °®Âþµº, on condition of anonymity, for not being authorised to talk to the media.ÌýÌý

According to the source, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has been following up on the situation around the clock, as he expressed obvious concerns about possible protests to erupt in support of the fall of his long-time ally, Assad, even in the form of celebrations whether by Syrians or Egyptians or both.

The presidential source further said that Sisi may extend his for several more days until his aides reassure him about the stability of the situation in Egypt, without elaborating further.ÌýÌý

Arrests of Syrians

Egyptian security forces arrested 17 Syrian nationals as they celebrated the end of Assad's era early on Sunday in 6 of October city, on the outskirts of Giza province, known for being a hub for large gatherings of Syrians, a security source told TNA, who also asked to remain anonymous for similar reasons.

"Discussions inside the interior ministry, which involved senior officers, have been under way to decide whether they will be deported with empathises on stopping similar future occurrences from happening or at least immediately dispersing them in case they take place," the source added.

"The national security agency summoned the leaders of groups that have to do with Syrian refugees in the country who cooperate with security bodies, especially, and informed them that there would be no tolerance shown towards any such moves," the source noted.Ìý

On Sunday evening, the Syria AlGad Relief FoundationÌý Syrians in Egypt not hold gatherings in the country without prior authorisation to avoid arrest asÌý went viral of Syrians celebrating on the streets of Cairo.

Public protests and gatherings have been in Egypt without a prior security permit since 2016.

Egypt is home to about two million Syrian refugees who fled the war at home over the past 11 years.

Media outlets, mostly loyal to Sisi's government, have reportedly been instructed to adopt rhetoric that promotes the concept of stability while spreading fear about an unknown future in case of a similar scenario of allowing Islamists to run the country.Ìý

Over the past 24 hours, talk show hosts of TV shows broadcast on Egyptian and pan-Arab satellite TV channels have been actively adopting conspiracy theories about the return of insurgency to Egypt.

No decisive stance

The Egyptian official stance remains unclear, as Sisi has not yet commented on the situation.Ìý Hours after the Syrian rebels took over Damascus on Sunday, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in an official it had been following up the situation with "the utmost interest, confirming its support to the Syrian people, the country’s sovereignty and the unity and integration of its territory."

"Egypt calls on all Syrian parties of all orientations to preserve the state capabilities and institutions and prioritise the national interests through uniting goals and priorities," the statement read.

The Egyptian foreign ministry urged Syrian political groups to initiate a comprehensive, political process that paves the way for a new phase of consensus internal peace to restore the country’s regional and international status.

"Egypt calls on all Syrian parties of all orientations to preserve the state capabilities and institutions and prioritise the national interests through uniting goals and priorities," the statement read.