Syria’s new interim government has appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a key figure in the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, as defense minister. Abu Qasra is also known by his nom de guerre “Abu Hassan 600” and was a leading figure in the insurgency that overthrew Bashar al-Assad.
The appointment comes after Syria’s new rulers discussed the formation of a military institution during a meeting with armed factions. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is also known as “Abu Mohammed al-Golani,” sat next to Abu Qasra during the meeting, according to state news agency SANA.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir has said that the defense ministry will be restructured using former rebel factions and officers. Bashir, a former leader of an HTS-affiliated administration in the northwestern province of Idlib, will lead a three-month transitional government.
The new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after the transition period ends. Earlier, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, responding to the aspirations of the Syrian people for international relations that bring peace and stability.
Shibani is a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University who previously led the political department of the rebels’ Idlib government. Al-Sharaa’s group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-new-rulers-name-foreign-minister-amid-push-international-relations-2024-12-21