Syria Introduces New Government Amid Ongoing Turmoil and Hopes for Stability
Nearly four months after the ousting of 24-year President Bashar al-Assad, Syria has introduced a new government, marking the beginning of a five-year transitional phase aimed at restoring stability and peace to a nation ravaged by over a decade of warfare.
The newly formed 23-member cabinet, which reflects a diverse mix of religious and ethnic backgrounds, was officially sworn in on Saturday. This government replaces the interim administration established immediately after Assad's removal from power in early December. Surprisingly, the cabinet does not include a prime minister; instead, under the temporary constitution endorsed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier this month, a secretary general will lead the government.
The announcement of this new government coincided with the upcoming celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan in Syria, commencing on Monday. It features several new faces aside from the ministers of foreign affairs and defense, who have retained their positions. Among the notable appointments is Anas Khattab as the new Interior Minister, who previously led the intelligence department.
In a declaration of intent, al-Sharaa emphasized that "the formation of a new government today is a declaration of our joint will to build a new state." On the other hand, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra articulated that his primary mission was to foster a professional army that serves the people.
The cabinet does not include representatives from the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the autonomous civil administration in northeast Syria. Earlier this month, al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi made headlines with a landmark agreement centered around a nationwide ceasefire and the eventual integration of the U.S.-supported forces into the Syrian army.
Newly appointed cabinet members include Hind Kabawat, a Christian activist who has been vocally opposed to Assad since the conflict ignited in March 2011, now taking the role of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. Additionally, Raed Saleh, who has led the Syrian Civil Defence known as the White Helmets, was designated as Minister for Emergency Disasters. Furthermore, Mohammed Terko, a Syrian Kurd based in Damascus, was appointed as Minister of Education. Mohammed al-Bashir, who has led the interim government since Assad's fall, takes on the role of Minister of Energy, a position critical for revitalizing the war-affected electricity and oil sectors.
The overarching mission of this new administration is to end the ongoing conflict and restore stability to a country recently shaken by violence, particularly in its coastal regions, which has led to over 1,000 deaths, predominantly among Alawites and Assad loyalists.
Notably, most insurgent factions currently dominating Syria are predominantly Sunni; thus, the appointment of figures from minority sects—including a woman and an Alawite—signals a committed effort on al-Sharaa's part to relay a message of change to Western nations advocating for greater involvement of women and minorities in Syria's political setup.
This politically diverse cabinet seems to be an overture aimed at influencing Western countries, which have imposed stringent economic sanctions on Assad for over a decade. According to estimates by the United Nations, nearly 90% of the Syrian population falls below the poverty line, with millions experiencing cuts in food assistance amid the ongoing strife.
On the eve of the new government announcement, the U.S. State Department issued a cautionary advisory to American citizens concerning an increased risk of attacks during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The warning highlighted potential risks to embassies, international organizations, and public institutions in Damascus, with concerns stemming from lone actors, armed groups, or the use of explosives.
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