In an episode published on 16 May 2026, Mohammad al-Dabbash described how, in his account, contractors and companies close to armed groups were imposed on local and international organisations in Idlib. Two of the people he named now hold public office. 1
Abdulrahman Salama, Governor of Raqqa
Supported by independent sources
Salama was executive director of al-Raqi Construction in Idlib, after serving as al-Nusra’s emir for the Aleppo sector and leading a brigade within HTS. He was appointed Governor of Raqqa on 19 January 2026. 2
According to testimony
Al-Dabbash presents Salama as the owner of al-Raqi and says the company was previously linked to Jabhat al-Nusra and imposed on organisations and projects. 1
Faraj Rakan Aqdi, member of the People’s Assembly
Supported by independent sources
Aqdi directs a trading and contracting company that carries out projects with government bodies and local and international organisations in water, roads, construction, energy and camps. He won a People’s Assembly seat for Maarat al-Nu’man on 6 October 2025. 3
According to testimony
Al-Dabbash called him “a contractor who was imposed on international organisations in Idlib”. 1
What would settle it
The allegation concerns how contracts and influence were allocated, and published biographies do not establish it on their own. Contract records from the organisations concerned, or testimony from their staff, would be needed. We welcome documented information through our corrections page.
People in this article
Sources
- Testimony Summary of a Mohammad al-Dabbash episode on administration and international cooperation (covers Qutaiba Qadish, Asaad al-Shaibani, Faraj al-Uqda and Abdulrahman Salama). — Syria.news, May 16, 2026
- Archive Profile: Abdulrahman Salama («Abu Ibrahim»; former al-Nusra emir in Aleppo; al-Raqi company; Governor of Raqqa) — The Syrian Memory (الذاكرة السورية)
- Archive Profile: Faraj Rakan Aqdi (contracting; People’s Assembly membership) — The Syrian Memory (الذاكرة السورية)