In a move aimed at improving public safety and protecting property, Syrian authorities have begun drafting new legislation that would make safety standards mandatory across the construction sector. Raed al-Saleh, Syria’s Minister of Emergency Affairs and Disaster Management, announced the government is preparing a draft law requiring strict compliance with fire safety regulations and disaster-resilience standards in all construction projects.
The proposed legislation was discussed during the first preparatory meeting of the Supreme Committee for Writing and Developing the Syrian Code. According to Saleh, the country currently lacks a unified national safety code governing construction. “There is no clear code in Syria regarding this matter,” Saleh said, noting that existing regulations are limited and mainly apply to certain industrial and tourism facilities.
Addressing Gaps in Construction Regulations
Saleh highlighted what he described as a major gap in updating Syria’s construction codes, pointing to the impact of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. He explained that before the earthquake, officials believed there were 173 seismic fault lines affecting the region, but the disaster has underscored the need for updated scientific data.
To address this, the ministry is working with Ankara University and Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) on a joint study to map seismic faults in southern Turkey and northern Syria. Saleh stressed the need for a comprehensive national construction code combining structural safety with environmental and financial standards, drawing on regional and international expertise.
The minister cited several recent incidents demonstrating the risks posed by insufficient safety regulations. Among them was a major warehouse fire in Idlib, where emergency teams were unable to extinguish the blaze effectively due to the absence of proper access points. He also referenced the collapse of a building in the Ashrafieh neighborhood of Aleppo, which complicated rescue operations and illustrated the dangers posed by weak structural standards.
Engineers to Play Key Oversight Role
Saleh said the success of the new legislation will depend on strict oversight and enforcement. He emphasized the role of the Syrian Engineers Syndicate in monitoring the implementation of architectural and engineering plans. The head of the syndicate, Malik Ali, confirmed the organization has already begun updating several technical codes and stands ready to support the government’s initiative.
If approved, the draft law would shift Syria’s construction safety framework from largely voluntary guidelines to enforceable national regulations, with the goal of ensuring that future development prioritizes the safety of citizens and infrastructure.
