Syria swears in new transitional government months after Assad’s removal

Unlike previous administrations, this government has no prime minister. Instead, it operates under a secretary-general, as outlined in the temporary constitution signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier this month.

Announced just ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the government includes several new figures, though the foreign and defence ministers have retained their positions from the interim administration. Syria’s new Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, was previously the head of the intelligence department.

In a speech following the formation of the government, al-Sharaa stated, “The formation of a new government today is a declaration of our joint will to build a new state,” AP reported.

Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said his priority would be to build a professional army “from the people and for the people.”

However, the government does not include representatives from the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the autonomous administration in northeast Syria.

Despite this, al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi recently signed a major agreement in Damascus for a nationwide ceasefire and the integration of SDF forces into the Syrian army.

Among the newly appointed ministers is Hind Kabawat, a Christian activist who opposed Assad from the start of the conflict in 2011. She was named Minister of Social Affairs and Labour. Raed Saleh, former head of the Syrian Civil Defence—commonly known as the White Helmets—was appointed Minister for Emergency Disasters.

Mohammed Terko, a Kurdish politician based in Damascus, was named Minister of Education. Mohammed al-Bashir, who led Syria’s interim government after Assad’s removal, was appointed Minister of Energy, with a focus on rebuilding the country’s damaged electricity and oil sectors.

The government’s primary goal is to end the war and bring peace to the country. Recent clashes in Syria’s coastal region, home to many from the minority Alawite sect, resulted in over 1,000 deaths, mostly Alawites. Assad himself was an Alawite, while most rebel groups now in power are Sunni.

By including representatives from various religious and ethnic backgrounds, including an Alawite and one woman, al-Sharaa aims to show Western nations that the new leadership is committed to inclusivity in Syria’s political process.

The formation of a diverse government is also intended to persuade Western countries to lift economic sanctions, which were imposed on Assad’s regime over a decade ago. The UN estimates that 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, and millions are facing reduced food aid due to the ongoing crisis.

Just hours before the government was announced, the US State Department warned American citizens about an increased risk of attacks during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

According to the AP, the statement mentioned potential threats to embassies, international organisations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus. The advisory also cautioned that possible methods of attack could include armed assaults, lone attackers, or explosive devices.

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