By: Boaz Shapira.
Shortly after the overthrow of the Assad regime, the rebels, led by Ahmad Al-Shara (Abu Muhammad Al-Julani), began to stabilize the country’s systems of government. As part of this process, the constitution and parliamentary activities were suspended and the new administration appointed ministers to various government positions and established a transitional government, expected to serve until March 1, 2025.
Most of the ministers appointed to the transitional government are directly linked to HTS, and the vast majority previously held parallel positions in the “Salvation Government” established by the rebels in Idlib. Some even actively participated in the fighting as part of various rebel organizations throughout the civil war. Additionally, a significant number of the ministers hold Islamist ideologies to varying degrees.
The transitional government is expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing the country and its systems in the period following the overthrow of the Assad regime and in establishing future governance. Additionally, it is hoped that the government’s activities will be the first step towards rebuilding Syria after many years of war. One of the most important steps in this context is Al-Shara’s efforts to dismantle the militias and rebel organizations and integrate them into the framework of the army and the newly emerging security mechanisms of Syria.
Here is the structure of the newly formed transitional government in Syria:
Prime Minister– Muhammad Al-Bashir, 41, from Mashoun village in the Jabal a-Zawiya region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering and an additional degree in Sharia studies. He was a founding member of HTS and previously led the “Salvation Government” in Idlib, having previously held various ministerial roles.
Minister of Defense– Marhaf Abu Qasra, 41, was born in the town of Halfaya (Hama district). He served as the commander of the military wing of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and was also one of the leaders of the attack that led to the overthrow of the Assad regime. Abu Qasra was one of the main elements working to improve the rebels’ military capabilities in the Idlib area. Additionally, he holds a degree in agricultural engineering.
Minister of Foreign Affairs– As’ad H Al-Shibani, 37, born in the Al-Hasakah area (Bani Shaban), grew up in Damascus. He holds a degree in English literature as well as a master’s degree and a doctorate in political science and international relations. AL-Shibani was one of the founders of Jabhat Al-Nusra, later Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, and later served as the head of the foreign relations department of the Salvation Government. In this framework, he worked with the United Nations, international organizations, and various countries.
Minister of Finance– Riad Abd Al-Ra’ouf, 49, born in Damascus. An accountant by training holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in this field. In the past, he served in a variety of senior economic positions in Syria, and until the fall of the regime, he served as Minister of Finance. After the change of government, Al-Shara chose to keep him in his position.
Minister of Interior– Muhammad Abd Al-Rahman, 39, from the town of Muhambal (Idlib). Former officer in the Syrian army with the rank of Aqid (equivalent to colonel). He defected from the army in 2012 and held a series of positions in rebel organizations in the Idlib region, including Jaish Al-Fatah. He served as interior minister of the rebel “salvation government” in Idlib.
Minister of Justice– Shadi Muhammed Al-Waisi, 39. He holds a degree in Sharia law. In the past, he served as a teacher, preacher, and imam and in several positions in the judicial system that operated under the “Salvation Government.”
Minister of Economy– Basel Abd Al-Aziz, 40, born in Aleppo. served as Minister of Economy in the “Salvation Government” in Idlib for two terms. Prior to joining the rebels, he worked as an engineer and lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Aleppo.
Minister of Agriculture– Muhammad Tah Al-Ahmad, 42, born in Hama. He holds degrees in agriculture and economics (including a PhD in agricultural development). He was Economy Minister before becoming Agriculture Minister in the Salvation Government.
Minister of Social Affairs– Fadi Al-Qasem, 41, born in Hama. He holds two degrees in engineering. Over the years, he has served in many senior positions in rebel-controlled areas.
Minister of Information– Mohammad Yaqoub Al-Omar, born in Khan a-Sabil in Idlib Province. He holds degrees in political science and communications. Al-Omar, who also served as communications minister under the Salvation Government, joined the ranks of the rebels (Jaish Al-Fattah) in 2011 and worked as a journalist. In addition, he is one of the founders of the Sham News network.
Minister of Health– Maher Al-Shara, 51, born in Damascus. Al-Shara is a gynecologist and surgeon who studied in Russia. From 2014 to 2022, he worked in hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Russia and then returned to Syria. In his previous position, he served as an advisor to the Minister of Health in the framework of the “Rescue Government.” The appointment of the Minister of Health caused quite a few reverberations in Syria, as he is the brother of Ahmed Al-Shara (Abu Muhammad Al-Julani).
Minister of Education– Nazir Muhammad Al-Qadri, 54, born in Damascus. He holds degrees in education and Arabic literature and served as a teacher in the past.
Al-Qadri, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, spent 10 years in prison (2008-2018). After his release, he joined the “Salvation Government” and held several positions in the field of education.
Minister of Higher Education– Abdul Moneim Abdul Hafez, 63, from Ma’arshurin (Idlib Province). He holds degrees in biology from the University of Aleppo and a doctorate from the University of Rouen in France. He served in several senior positions in the higher education system in Syria, both under the Assad regime and in the rebel territories.
Minister of Endowments– Hossam Haj Hussein, 47, Idlib. He holds degrees in Sharia and educational training from the University of Damascus. He worked as a teacher of Islamic education from 2002 until the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. Over the years, he served in senior positions in the field of endowments, and in 2021–2022, he served as the Minister of Endowments in the “Salvation Government”.
Minister of Local Administration– Muhamed Abd Al-Rahman Muslim, 44, born in Aleppo. An engineer by training. He joined the ranks of the rebels in 2011 and was imprisoned for a short period. He held several public positions within “Salvation Government,” the last of which was Minister of Administration and Local Services.
