A video showing Syria’s Health Minister Musab al-Ali holding a pistol and firing it during a visit to the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at the 63rd Damascus International Fair has spread widely on social media. He was accompanied during the tour by Culture Minister Muhammad Yasin al-Saleh and Major General Ahmad Latouf, deputy interior minister for police affairs. The minister was briefed on the services and modern technologies showcased at the pavilion.
The footage prompted mixed reactions because al-Ali holds a civilian health-care post and is not affiliated with the military or security services. Some users considered the minister’s appearance at a shooting range inappropriate, while others described it as a routine demonstration inside the Interior Ministry pavilion that had nothing to do with his official duties. The video was accompanied by humorous and critical comments in Arabic and English.
Some commentators joked that the minister could “treat problems” using more than medical methods. Syrian activist Lujain al-Sayed wrote that al-Ali had proven to be not only a medical specialist but also a “doctor of shooting.” Posts of this kind turned the incident into an occasion for debating how appropriate it is for a civilian official to publicly participate in an event involving firearms.
Political analyst Charles R. Lister urged people not to draw sensational conclusions from the video. According to him, al-Ali is a neurosurgeon who left his professional career in Germany in 2025 to work in Syria’s new government and has no military experience. Lister confirmed that the shooting took place as part of an activity at the Interior Ministry’s exhibition stand, rather than during an official military or security operation.
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What is the Damascus International Fair, and what role do stands representing Syrian state agencies, including the Interior Ministry, typically play in its program? — The Damascus International Fair is a major trade, economic and investment platform in Syria, where local and foreign companies present their goods, services and projects. Stands operated by government agencies, including the Interior Ministry, generally inform visitors about the institutions’ work, public services, and investment or infrastructure projects. The Interior Ministry’s participation may also have symbolic and image-building significance, demonstrating the presence of the state and its institutions.
Who is Lujain al-Sayed, and why did her comment spread widely on Syrian social media? — Lujain al-Sayed is a Syrian social media user whose comment was connected to the event in question or to material about the exhibition. It spread because of its striking wording and resonance with public sentiment; users actively quoted and shared it on social media.
Full version: Pistol in Syrian health minister’s hand sparks controversy at Damascus Fair
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