Companies once tied to Assad kept winning UN contracts under Syria’s new rulers

The United Nations awarded nearly $10 million in contracts to companies previously associated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2025, according to an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). These payments occurred after Assad lost power in December 2024, marking a continuation of ties between former regime allies and international institutions despite the political upheaval. The procurement records, disclosed by the U.N. in July, identified at least 11 entities with historical connections to Assad's administration that remained active in securing U.N. contracts post-2024. Among them, Shorouk, a security firm, received approximately $11 million in U.N. contracts during Assad’s tenure. Following his removal, Shorouk secured over $1.6 million in contracts in 2025, a figure marginally lower than the previous year. According to ICIJ, Shorouk was secretly controlled by a branch of Assad’s intelligence apparatus, enabling state funds to flow directly to agencies implicated in human rights violations. ProGuard, another security firm, earned $2.2 million in U.N. contracts in 2025, becoming the largest such contractor in Syria. During Assad’s time, ProGuard was reportedly operated by a businessman and former parliamentarian sanctioned by the European Union and the United Kingdom for backing the Syrian regime. The persistence of these companies suggests a strategic effort by the Syrian government to maintain influence through financial arrangements with former regime elites. Officials have entered into settlements with some of these business figures, offering them a return to operational roles in exchange for asset transfers. These negotiations have proceeded in secrecy, raising concerns among experts about the implications for transitional justice. The U.N. country team in Syria noted that Shorouk and ProGuard were placed under the management of a newly formed entity called Defense Safe following Assad’s departure. This transition followed the replacement of their former directors, allowing Defense Safe to expand its operations nationwide. The U.N. Development Program continued its contractual relationship with Shorouk on a monthly basis throughout 2025, with most of its staff subsequently moved to a third contractor, al-Fajr, which is also part of the Defense Safe network. Defense Safe has not responded to inquiries regarding ownership or the process of acquiring control over these firms. The reorganization of Syria’s private security sector under this new structure remains unaddressed by the Syrian government, which has not commented on its involvement in shaping the industry. Uncertainty persists regarding the terms of agreements between the current Syrian authorities and the owners of ProGuard and Shorouk. Shorouk’s general manager previously denied to ICIJ that the company was affiliated with Assad’s intelligence services, asserting that the new government had permitted its continued operation. In a separate case, the owner of Damascus’ Four Seasons Hotel, Samer Foz, has engaged in public discussions about his settlement with the new government. Foz, whose holding company received around $4 million in U.N. contracts in 2025, is known for his role in facilitating the displacement of Syrians and funding pro-regime militias. His hotel served as the headquarters for the U.N. mission in Syria and the initial base for the government committee tasked with negotiating with such businessmen. Foz reportedly agreed to transfer assets worth up to $1 billion as part of his arrangement with the new authorities.