Official documents obtained by oversight bodies have sparked widespread controversy following the signing of a contract—valued at 6.3 billion Syrian pounds ($456,000)—between the Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. The contract covers the restoration and rehabilitation of prominent archaeological landmarks in the city of Homs, amidst reports revealing administrative and legal irregularities regarding the contracting process and the issuance of the work commencement order.
Documents dated April 9, 2026, show a direct work order issued to the investor—"Al-Taer Commercial Company," represented by Imad Mustafa Yahya, Muhammad Nour al-Atassi, and their partner—to execute Contract No. 1. This contract entails the restoration, maintenance, and rehabilitation of two major historical buildings in Homs: Al-Zahrawi Palace and Dar Mufid al-Amin, both owned by the Directorate of Antiquities.
The total allocated value for the project is 6.3 billion Syrian pounds, with actual work on-site scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Notably, the company possesses no prior experience or specialization in this type of historical landmark restoration work.
From an administrative and legal standpoint, audits have revealed critical flaws and violations surrounding the inception of this contract. The Minister of Culture signed a works contract valued at 6.3 billion Syrian pounds—a figure exceeding the administrative and legal limits of his authority. Such amounts require not only the approval of the General Secretariat but also, mandatorily, that of the State Council—a procedural step that was missing from the contract file.
In a peculiar turn of events reflecting an unjustified sense of haste, indications suggest the Minister signed the "notice to proceed" first, only then sending the document to the Director of the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums for his signature. As the Director was away from his office at the time, officials tracked him down at the university—where he was present—to have him sign the document after he had already seen the Minister’s signature (whereas the standard procedure dictates the reverse: the Director signs first, followed by the Minister).
These documents and circumstances now await review by oversight bodies to determine the legality of these financial actions and to ensure the protection of public funds and historical heritage.
A final question remains: Why did the Ministry not avail itself of free UNESCO grants and expertise for the restoration of these landmarks? What is the extent of the commercial company's experience in such work? And why was the project not put out to public tender? A reminder:
- Previous restoration work on the "Al-Zahrawi Palace"—carried out in multiple phases starting in the 1980s, followed by a phase in 2008, and culminating in the restoration of the western section in 2020—was executed directly by the technical and administrative staff of the Homs Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, or via "direct execution" (force account) for specific damaged areas. The project was never previously tendered as an investment contract or a massive, multi-billion-lira commission awarded to a private commercial company until the tenure of the current minister.
- For many years, "Dar Mufid Al-Amin" stood as an architectural gem awaiting systematic restoration; the need for this work—and the necessary studies—had been highlighted in international reports, particularly given the requirement for expert hands skilled in archaeological restoration—expertise that the commercial company lacks!
Zaman Al Wasl
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