Friday August 29, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa made his first official visit to Homs since assuming the presidency, where he launched a new series of development projects. According to the Office of the Presidency, al-Sharaa laid the foundation stone for the “Dar al-Salam” project package, which includes the Avino Homs complex near the train station in the Meydan neighborhood and the Boulevard project.
Homs Governor Abdulrahman al-Aama and several local officials joined the president at the ceremony, which marked the start of what authorities described as a new phase of reconstruction. The governorate said the projects aim to boost investment and modernize urban infrastructure.
The Boulevard project, according to Minister of Local Administration and Environment Muhammad Anjarani, will establish an integrated commercial and residential district at a cost of up to $900 million. Earlier this month, the government signed memorandums of understanding for investment projects worth $14 billion during the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum, also attended by US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.
Crowds Gather in Hama
Following his visit to Homs, Sharaa traveled north to Hama, where hundreds of residents gathered in Asi Square to greet him. He later met with local dignitaries and notables, stressing what he described as their “national role in promoting unity, social cohesion and support for the reconstruction process.”
The president also visited Mount Zein al-Abidin, a site remembered for battles during the Repelling Aggression Campaign, which culminated in the fall of the Assad regime. His appearance there drew attention for linking the country’s ongoing rebuilding efforts with the war’s pivotal moments.
Tour of Idlib and War-Damaged Cities
Sharaa concluded his tour in Idlib province, making stops in Maarat al-Numan and Saraqib before arriving in the provincial capital. Both towns, heavily damaged during years of conflict, were on his route as he inspected destruction and spoke with residents.
In Idlib city, large crowds gathered in Seven Lakes Square to welcome him. The president met with community representatives, reiterating his earlier statement that Idlib remains a “key pillar for moving toward the project of the modern national state in Syria.”
Earlier this month, Sharaa announced preparations for a national development fund that will draw on contributions from Syrians at home and abroad, with priority given to rebuilding war-affected regions. His visit to Idlib underscored the government’s focus on reconstruction in the country’s north, where residents have borne the brunt of the fighting.
A Message of Reconstruction and Engagement
Friday’s tour through Homs, Hama and Idlib highlighted the dual priorities of investment and reconciliation. In each stop, Sharaa emphasized direct communication with local communities, saying the government sought to listen to their concerns while advancing reconstruction. The sequence of visits, spanning from laying foundations for billion-dollar projects to touring battle-scarred streets, underscored what officials described as a new phase of national recovery.
