[Read about the original regulations here.]
The decision by Damascus governorate to restrict the sale of alcoholic drinks has sparked some local controversy, including a demonstration in Bab Touma (a historically Christian area of Damascus) in opposition to the regulations, complaining that they discriminate between Syrians and negatively impact the country’s diversity and personal freedoms. The decisions were also implicitly criticised by Hind Kabawat, the Christian minister of social affairs and labour, on the basis that they negatively associate Christian areas in Damascus with alcoholic drinks rather than their embodying the ‘heart of Damascus’ and a ‘place for co-existence’ that respects diversity, which itself encapsulates the ‘strength’ of the Syrian state.
Amid the controversy, Damascus governorate has issued a ‘clarification’ on the new regulations. The clarification does not itself constitute a retraction of the regulations. Rather, it generally seeks to justify them as representing continuity with older legislation and decisions in the modern Syrian state, but it does emphasise that facilities of relevance to tourists are either exempt from the regulations or will be subject to further consideration.
Below is the clarification fully translated.
Clarification regarding the decision on alcoholic drinks
In view of the controversy caused by decision no. 311/m.t issued by Damascus governorate regarding the regulation of the profession of selling alcoholic drinks, we make clear the following:
- Damascus governorate bears on its shoulder the responsibility for maintaining security and stability and preserving civil peace and general etiquette. Its mission also includes regulating licenses of professions and business activities and stopping chaos and randomness. It does not intervene in personal freedoms for citizens. Therefore, this decision is in its essence a regulatory one only, under the framework of the law.
- The decision is not a new innovation by Damascus governorate, but rather organises prior decisions and laws, the most important of them being legislative decree 180 in 1952, then decision no. 1998/34, decision no. 46 issued in 2010, decision no. 38 issued in 2013, decision no. 41 issued in 2018. All these decisions are old and regulate the work of shops to sell alcoholic drinks.
- The established distance between shops selling alcoholic drinks and houses of worship and schools has been implemented for a long time in Syria in accordance with legislative decree no. 180 in 1952.
- Legislative decree no. 180 is the one that defined places where alcoholic drinks are sold, and it specifies explicitly that they are to be sold in ‘neighbourhoods that have a non-Muslim majority’, out of respect for the particular nature of this societal component.
-The decision came as a result of the ongoing chaos in stores selling alcoholic drinks, and the spread of unlicensed stores and the sale of drinks to minors and young people, which prompted the bid to stop transgressions of the laws and regulations.
- The new decision is an organisation of all the prior decisions and accords with decision no. 1998/34, decision no. 46 of 2010, decision no. 38 of 2013 and decision no. 41 of 2018. The aim is to compile them in one decision with the aim of unifying the legal reference.
- Regulation of sale of alcoholic drinks exists in all states and differs according to the different customs, practices and components, for some of them ban it outright, and some permit it in some places and not others, and others still permit it within specific laws and regulations that have regard for their societies.
- Venues licensed by the Ministry of Tourism that include sale of alcoholic drinks, such as hotels and other such places, are not affected by the decision.
- Suggestions regarding restaurants that have touristic significance will be reviewed and received from neighbourhood committees, so that the criteria can be considered in accordance with the legal frameworks, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism.
- Damascus governorate apologises to our people in Bab Touma, al-Qasa‘ and Bab Sharqi for what was misunderstood about the decision and circulated in the wrong context. For these areas are considered part of the capital’s beating heart, and form an icon of its identity and culture, and the governorate will review the three areas mentioned in the decision to ensure that none of the societal components are harmed.
- During the period specified in the decision (three months) the governorate will organise the profession of selling alcoholic drinks in accordance with the prior decisions and regulations, and clarify the means of implementation, and take into consideration touristic restaurants that have particular significance.
- In conclusion, Damascus governorate reminds the citizen brothers not to fall for rumours, and to follow the decisions and their explanations issued by the official sources, and to read the entirety of the previously implemented decisions before applying judgements, and our doors are open via the directorate of local councils and public relations. May you be well.
Published originally on March 23, 2026.
