The Syrian regime has revoked the license of a new security company, adding it to the previous two companies that were denied licences. Pro-regime sources say that the regime’s decision is due to its disputes with tycoon Rami Makhlouf.
Pro-regime website, Snack Syrian, said that the Ministry of Interior, which is affiliated with the regime, issued a decision to revoke the license of the National Company for Protection Services, on the pretext that it violated the terms of its license. No further details were mentioned.
According to sources close to the situation, private security companies in Syria are mostly affiliated with Rami Makhlouf, and the regime wants to incapacitate Makhlouf in Syria at the security level by getting rid of those companies.
On May 23, 2020, the Syrian regime announced that it was breaking its contracts with companies that provide security services, including Alpha Security and Falcon Security, without disclosing the main reasons behind the decision. According to informed sources, both Falcon Security and Alpha Security are owned by Rami Makhlouf.
Furthermore, the regime instructed the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection to scrap the commercial record of each of Alpha Security and Falcon Security.
Economist Samir Tawil told SY 24 that “[the regime’s] decision comes as a by-product of the current campaign against Rami Makhlouf and some other businessmen whose companies’ licenses were permanently revoked.” All the measures that the regime is taking are aimed at rendering Makhlouf, his employees, and the businessmen affiliated with him hors de combat, according to Tawil.
It is worth noting that, in 2013, President Bashar al-Assad had granted licenses to private protection and security services companies, on the pretext of providing protection services to facilities, property, documents, individuals, money transfers, jewellery, and other precious metals.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
