ALEPPO, Syria — The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-affiliated (HTS) Salvation Government continues its attempts to dominate and acquire the different advertising companies and other vital sectors in its areas of control in Idlib in northwestern Syria, through its affiliated directorates and ministries and through emerging companies in various sectors led by parties close to HTS.

On Nov. 9, the Idlib City Council of the Ministry of Local Administration and Services in the Salvation Government issued a decision to remove all signs from public roads. The decision required all of those with signs posted on electricity poles along the public road between al-Mutanabi roundabout and al-Koura roundabout in the center of Idlib city to remove all advertising boards within a week in order to start the process of lighting public roads. The electricity poles are used to carry power lines as well as to mount street lights.

An employee in Idlib City Council told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “The decision to remove banners and advertisements from some streets in Idlib is part of a general plan in all areas of Idlib managed by the Salvation Government. The implementation of the plan began about two months ago, and it aims to improve the aesthetic appearance of roads and public squares, as well as to end the absurd spread of advertisements and visual pollution."

He said, "The plan to remove all kinds of road advertisements also aims to invest in this sector, meaning that advertising in Idlib will be restricted to one company chosen by the Salvation Government.”