The Ministry of Awqaf Cancels Contracts for Leasing Tourist Lands in Jableh After Uncovering Legal Violations and Illegal Uses

The Syrian Ministry of Awqaf announced today, Saturday, that it has issued a decision to cancel several contracts for leasing tourist lands in the city of Jableh, following the discovery that some sites were being used as illegal ports for smuggling and activities that violate the law, in clear violation of investment and contracting conditions.

According to the ministry's statement, the contracts that were canceled date back to the period of the previous Syrian regime, where 1.4 dunams of the coastal strip were leased for an amount not exceeding 4.2 dollars annually, while the total rent for 207 dunams owned by the ministry was only about 1600 dollars, reflecting a significant imbalance in the financial valuation of public properties, and indicating the existence of illegal privileges that some beneficiaries enjoyed during that period.

The ministry confirmed that the decision comes as part of a comprehensive review of old investment contracts, aimed at restoring public rights and enhancing oversight of endowment properties, emphasizing that any illegal use of endowment lands will be met with strict measures in accordance with the applicable laws.

The Ministry of Awqaf is currently working on re-evaluating its real estate assets and updating contracting mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness in endowment investment, contributing to the enhancement of local development within a regulated legal framework.