Syria burkini law enforces full-body swimwear on public beaches
Syria announced on Tuesday a new conservative dress code requiring women to wear burkinis or full-coverage swimwear at all public beaches- the latest cultural shift following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December to Islamist rebel forces.
The country’s Ministry of Tourism stated that the new guidelines were introduced “in the public interest”.
“Visitors to public beaches and swimming pools, whether tourists or locals, must wear appropriate swimwear that respects public modesty and the sensitivities of various social groups,” said Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salkhani in a statement published on Facebook.
The decree mandates:
- More modest swimwear (burkinis or full-body suits) for women at public beaches and pools
- Women must wear a cover-up or loose clothing over swimwear when moving between beach areas and other public zones
- Men are required to wear shirts, with bare chests prohibited outside designated swimming, hotel or dining areas
- In all public spaces outside beaches and pools, loose-fitting clothing covering shoulders and knees is preferred, avoiding transparent or tight garments
However, the ministry clarified that in four-star or higher hotels and resorts, as well as private beaches and pools, Western-style swimwear remains permitted.
While specific penalties for non-compliance have not been detailed, authorities said “lifeguards and beach supervisors” will be tasked with monitoring adherence to the new regulations.
According to a CNN report, the rules reflect the growing influence of the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which leads Syria’s transitional government after Assad’s ousting. HTS- formerly the al-Nusra Front- is designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and the United Kingdom.
The transitional president of Syria, Ahmad al-Saraa, who signed the decree, also led the offensive that toppled Assad’s regime. In March, he ratified a transitional constitution establishing Islamic governance for the next five years.
Human Rights Watch had previously warned in March that the concentration of power in al-Saraa’s hands raised serious concerns about rule of law and human rights in the absence of clear legal safeguards.
Tourism Minister al-Salkhani, who recently attracted investment from Qatar and Saudi Arabia for tourism projects worth “billions of dollars”, presented the Syria burkini law as a sign of respect for the country’s cultural, social and religious diversity.
The announcement comes as Syria seeks to revive its tourism industry following the lifting of US sanctions in May 2025- a move US President Donald Trump hailed as “an opportunity for greatness” for Syria.
