Damascus nightclub raid fuels fears despite official condemnation

7/5/2025 6:22

A violent armed raid on a Damascus nightclub last week has fuelled fears of a threat to nightlife in the Syrian capital, despite condemnation by the Islamist-led authorities.



The new rulers have pledged to rule inclusively for all Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups, but the challenges are becoming more evident, most especially since the killing in March of hundreds of members of the Alawite Muslim sect.



The Interior Ministry said it had arrested "military elements" involved in the assault, partially captured on security camera footage, which shows people being hit with rifle butts outside the club. It was pursuing others.



Under Bashar al-Assad's rule, numerous bars operated in Damascus, though few were officially licensed to sell alcohol, their owners paying bribes to do so.



Since he was toppled as president last December by Islamist insurgents, many bars have continued operating.