Damascus denies rumors of nightclubs, restaurants being shut down

Syrian social media has recently been awash with rumors claiming that authorities in Damascus ordered the nighttime closure of nightclubs and restaurants in the capital. Some users shared fabricated videos and statements falsely attributed to local officials.

However, the Damascus Governorate issued an official statement on Saturday via the Old Damascus City Directorate, denying the claims and stating that they are "completely untrue."

The governorate clarified that no instructions were given to close tourism establishments at night and no security interventions were carried out for such a purpose.

Instead, authorities said the actions taken were part of regular inspection tours to ensure compliance with licensing laws. According to Germany’s DPA news agency, some establishments were closed for operating without licenses or violating their permit conditions.

The governorate emphasized that all measures were conducted legally and under the supervision of the competent authorities.

The rumors followed social media posts alleging that bars and nightclubs in the Bab Sharqi area of Old Damascus had been shut down after receiving verbal warnings for serving alcohol.