Jamal al-Sharaa denies claims of presidential rebuke in Idlib meeting

Jamal al-Sharaa, the brother of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has denied reports that the Syrian leader reprimanded officials over displays of wealth during a meeting in Idlib province, describing the claims as fabrications intended to distort the truth.

The controversy erupted after Reuters cited informed sources alleging that President al-Sharaa had publicly scolded several senior officials for flaunting luxury cars and ordered the closure of a Damascus office said to belong to his brother.

The meeting, reportedly held on 30 August and attended by senior security officials, was portrayed as an unusually tense gathering in which the president demanded that civil servants surrender their car keys or face investigations over their alleged illicit wealth.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Jamal al-Sharaa rejected the allegations outright, denying that he operates any business office in Damascus or has met with businessmen and state officials. He described the reports as "fabrications and distortions of the truth" and said they were an attempt to smear both him and the president.

"The idea that there exists any office or business interests of mine in Damascus is completely false... [such rumours] are part of a campaign aimed at undermining the integrity of the Syrian leadership," he said.

His comments were echoed by other officials who attended the meeting, who insisted that the Reuters account misrepresented what actually took place. Ahmad Mohammad Deeb Tu’meh, director of Political Affairs in Rural Damascus, said the report contained "false information".

"The president did not address any issue related to luxury cars abroad," he said. "I attended the entire meeting and did not hear any such account."

Former Minister of Communications Hussein al-Masri, who was also present at the meeting, similarly described the gathering as "lengthy and positive", saying it included "general guidance and recommendations regarding the Syrian situation".

In a Facebook post, al-Masri added that the meeting covered "instructions not to compete with investors, and the formation of a committee to follow up on this issue and review the properties and funds of officials".

The Ministry of Information later confirmed that the meeting had taken place but described it as "friendly and informal", focused on "political and security challenges" and the "need to change the investment culture established by the previous regime".

Despite the denials, the Reuters report continues to circulate widely online, which has prompted speculation about growing tensions within Syria’s new establishment amid deepening economic hardship.