Syrian officials deny a Reuters report that President Ahmad al-Sharaa ordered civilian employees who own luxury cars to hand over their keys immediately or face “illicit gains” probes during an earlier meeting in Idlib (northwest Syria).

Ahmed Mohammed Deeb Touma, Director of Political Affairs in Rif Dimashq (Rural Damascus province, southern Syria), posted on X on the evening of 31 October that the Reuters story contained “incorrect information.”

Touma said the president did not touch on the matter of “Cadillac Escalade,” “Range Rover,” “Chevrolet Tahoe,” and other vehicles “parked outside.” He added, “I attended the entire meeting and did not hear this account,” continuing, “Unfortunately, my car is old like many others and it broke down that day, so I left it in Idlib and returned with a friend.”

According to the Rif Dimashq official, al-Sharaa spoke first about “memories and how God has blessed us,” then moved to the present “challenges and his vision for Syria and what we want to achieve,” offering “advice like a father who cares for his children and protects them.”

Touma said the president advised those present to “beware the slips of power and their consequences, and the importance of safeguarding the fruit of years and the sacrifices of the Syrian revolution.” He added that the president “never addressed any individual regarding what was reported, nor their cars, nor any of the inaccuracies mentioned.”

Hussein al-Masri, a former Minister of Communications in the Salvation Government who attended the session, likewise said the Reuters account was “far from the truth.” In a Facebook post, he described “a long and positive session” that offered general guidance on the situation, as well as “instructions not to crowd out investors, and to form a committee to follow this issue and inventory officials’ assets and funds.”

Rebuke and complaints

In a report published on 31 October, Reuters said the Syrian president held a meeting at his former residence in Idlib (northwest Syria) on 30 August, away from his presidential office in Damascus, with senior security officials in attendance.

Witnesses who were present, and others briefed on its details, told Reuters that al-Sharaa ordered civilian employees who own luxury cars to hand over their keys immediately or face investigations into “illicit gains.” Attendees added that some keys were indeed turned in by the end of the meeting.

Syria’s Ministry of Information described the gathering to Reuters as “cordial and informal,” saying it addressed “political and security challenges and the need to change the investment culture established by the previous regime.” The ministry affirmed that al-Sharaa stressed rejecting corruption in state institutions, while denying that any car keys were actually handed over.

These steps followed complaints raised by citizens in an earlier meeting with al-Sharaa in early August about sudden displays of wealth by some “former revolutionaries” who had become government employees.

On 12 October, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) aired a video of al-Sharaa demanding that officials disclose their investments and barring them from entering new private ventures or forging business ties with entrepreneurs, affirming he “does not want to repeat the model that prevailed under al-Assad.”

However, testimonies by nine businesspeople and current and former officials to Reuters indicate that corruption persists in the new state, including bribes to release detainees or to recover homes and properties confiscated after the fall of the previous regime.

Industrialists told Reuters they were compelled to pay cash off-the-books through influential intermediaries to keep their work flowing or to shield their employees from arrest.

The Ministry of Information downplayed the scope of such practices, confirming that the “cases are limited,” and that those suspected of taking bribes “were referred to immediate investigation,” according to Reuters.

Excluding Jamal al-Sharaa

Signs of tension extend beyond the circle of power to the al-Sharaa family itself. While his brothers Hazem and Maher hold senior posts in the new government, his eldest brother, Jamal, was sidelined after accusations that he leveraged his family connection to the president for commercial gain.

Reuters, citing six informed sources, reported that after his brother rose to power, Jamal set up an office in Damascus to run projects in import, export, and tourism. He appeared publicly in upscale venues using a Mercedes S-Class with dark glass and no license plates.

In August, the president ordered the office closed and barred any government body from dealing with it. The Ministry of Information confirmed the closure, stating that Jamal “was not permitted to operate as an investment or commercial entity” and “holds no official state position,” without saying whether specific charges had been filed.

A relative of al-Sharaa told Reuters the Syrian president convened a family meeting after the incident and warned relatives against “exploiting the family name for personal gain.”

Corruption in the sovereign fund

The Syrian government arrested two lawyers working with the “sovereign fund,” which currently includes hundreds of companies, buildings, and factories formerly owned by figures linked to the previous regime, according to government and economic sources, as part of probes into “alleged corruption.” One lawyer has been held for more than a month over an “alleged theft not yet proven,” the Ministry of Information told Reuters.

The ministry also said several members of the committee responsible for striking settlements with figures from the old regime are under investigation for suspected “misconduct,” although no formal arrest warrants have been issued.