Photos of Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and the delegation accompanying him during their visit to Aleppo circulated on social media. Users claimed that the city’s governor, Azzam al-Gharib, had ordered the Syrian flag removed from the Citadel of Aleppo to please the Turkish guests. The rumor sparked widespread attention after a group photo of the delegation was published in which the flag was not visible.
The visit took place on August 27, 2026. Bolat posted photos taken near the citadel and spoke about the shared history of the two countries, as well as Turkey’s role in rebuilding Syria. The governor of Aleppo welcomed the delegation and emphasized the geographical, fraternal, and economic ties between Aleppo and the Turkish city of Gaziantep. The main purpose of the trip was to hold talks on strengthening trade and investment relations between the two countries.
A reverse-image search and an analysis of the site showed that the photo was taken near a side tower of the citadel, where visitors usually take pictures. The Syrian flag is not normally installed on that tower. Photos published at different times, as well as an examination of the location through Google Maps, confirmed that the flag had not been there long before the Turkish delegation’s visit.
At the same time, official materials from the Aleppo governorate show that the Syrian flag is installed on another tower—the citadel’s main front tower. It was visible, in particular, in footage of a military parade in December 2025 and in archival UNESCO materials. These findings indicate that the flag is traditionally displayed on the main tower, rather than being a special feature added or removed in connection with visits by Turkish representatives.
An additional group photo, published by Gazwan al-Masri, who accompanied the delegation, was taken during the same trip in front of the main tower, with the Syrian flag visible in the frame. The flag is also clearly visible in photos from previous Turkish visits, including a delegation trip with Bilal Erdoğan in May 2026. Thus, the claim that it was removed to please Turkey was misleading and based on a photo taken from an angle showing a tower on which the flag is not usually flown.
Comments on the News
What role does the Citadel of Aleppo play in the city’s history, and why is the Syrian flag usually displayed on its main tower? — The Citadel of Aleppo is one of Syria’s most important historical symbols and an outstanding monument of medieval architecture. Rising above the city, it served as a military, administrative, and political center in different eras. For this reason, the flag on its main tower underscores state sovereignty, historical continuity, and Aleppo’s importance to the country.
What historical and economic ties exist between Aleppo and the Turkish city of Gaziantep, and how do they affect current trade talks? — The cities are linked by the region’s shared history, geographical proximity, trade routes, and longstanding family and business contacts. Before the war, Aleppo and Gaziantep interacted actively through cross-border trade, industry, and transport. Today, these ties provide a basis for discussing the restoration of trade and border crossings, although negotiations are also affected by sanctions, security concerns, destroyed infrastructure, and political relations between Syria and Turkey.
Who is Azzam al-Gharib, and what powers does the governor of Aleppo have regarding the management of historic sites and the organization of official events? — Azzam al-Gharib is a Syrian government official who served as governor of Aleppo province. The governor is responsible for the work of the local administration, coordinating government services, and organizing official events. At the same time, historic sites, including the Citadel of Aleppo, are protected by specialized authorities and regulated by national bodies responsible for antiquities and museums. The governor generally coordinates access, security, maintenance, and events, but does not make unilateral decisions regarding the restoration or status of a monument.
