Damascus authorities reverse brief alcohol ban for tourism venues

13 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 4

The rollback followed minor protests in the Syrian capital after restaurants and bars were barred from selling alcohol, with only takeaway initially allowed in majority-Christian neighbourhoods.
Social Affairs Minister Hind Kabawat criticised limiting alcohol to Christian areas, while authorities said sales could continue in hotels and certain restaurants important to tourism.
The episode has intensified concerns that President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government is yielding to clerical pressure and conservative Islamist policies that could curb freedoms and hinder Syria's reconstruction and tourism recovery.

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