Following criticism, #Damascus Governorate said its alcohol policy is based on laws dating to 1952. It apologized to residents of #BabTouma, al-Qassaa and #BabSharqi, and signaled possible easing for “touristic” restaurants without reversing the ban. #Syria #Freedoms

Sit-in held Sunday in #BabTouma, #Damascus, as protesters called for respect for public and personal freedoms and rejected sectarian discrimination. The protest followed a ban on alcohol service, bar closures, and restricted sales in Christian-majority areas. #Syria #Freedoms

Interior Ministry says it foiled a “sabotage plot” in #Damascus targeting a religious figure’s home in #BabTouma after monitoring a woman attempting to plant an explosive. Sources say one detainee was previously arrested in Tartous for unrelated reasons. #Syria #Security

Damascus Governorate Denies Erasing Historical Identity in Bab Touma Restoration

The governorate said the 45-day restoration targets crumbling infrastructure. Officials cited UNESCO ties and denied moving historic stones to Idlib.

#Damascus #BabTouma #Syria #UNESCO

More images from the Protestant church in #BabTouma yesterday.

During an interview there I was told that this was (is) also the church of the Qabawat family.