Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been appointed interim president of Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The appointment marks a shift in Syria’s political landscape as the country enters a transitional period aimed at restructuring its governance.
The appointment of al-Sharaa, who has been the de facto leader of Syria since early December, was announced after a meeting of rebel faction leaders in Damascus on Wednesday. Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, assumed the role following the successful HTS military operation that led to the fall of the Assad regime last month.
In a statement carried by SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency), military spokesman Hassan Abdel Ghani confirmed that al-Sharaa had been authorised to form a temporary legislative council to run the country’s affairs until a new constitution is adopted. “We announce the appointment of Commander Ahmad al-Sharaa as head of state during the transitional period. He will assume the duties of the president of the Syrian Arab Republic and represent the country in international forums,” Ghani said.
The announcement, made at a conference in Damascus called the ‘Conference to Announce the Victory of the Syrian Revolution’, included several major reforms, including the cancellation of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of Syria’s parliament, military and security agencies. These institutions will be replaced by newly appointed bodies, and a new national army will integrate all factions that opposed the Assad regime. The dissolution of armed groups includes HTS, although the group remains influential in the new political framework, with al-Sharaa at the helm.
Al-Sharaa said his leadership would focus on “filling the power vacuum, maintaining civil peace and rebuilding state institutions”. He faces the challenge of leading a country deeply affected by more than a decade of conflict, which the UN estimates has left more than 300,000 people dead and millions displaced.
Syria’s transition comes amid regional and international challenges, and al-Sharaa’s leadership will be closely watched as he works to stabilise and restructure the country.
The appointment has sparked reactions from some commentators. Jiger Hussain, an activist, raised concerns about the rise of Fahim Eissa, leader of the Suleiman Shah Brigade militia, who is listed as a war criminal under US sanctions. Hussain highlighted Eissa’s involvement in crimes including looting, kidnapping, torture and sexual violence in Afrin, northwest Syria.
Fahim Eissa, leader of the Suleiman Shah Brigade Militia, also on the U.S sanctioned war criminal, is now a leader in the new Syrian government.
He is responsible for looting, kidnapping, torture, and sexual violence in #Afrin in N/West Syria .
A warlord in power instead of in… pic.twitter.com/fek5wJ8bcR— Jiger Hussain جيكر حسين 🇬🇧 (@jigerhussein) January 29, 2025
Human rights defender Nadina Maenza also expressed concern about the presence of Abu Hatem Shaqra (Ahmad al-Hayes) at the ‘victory’ event where al-Sharaa was elected president. Shaqra, who has been sanctioned by the US for trafficking Yazidi women and children and for his involvement in the killing of Hevrin Khalaf during the Turkish invasion in 2019, was allowed to speak at the event.
Stunned that US sanctioned Abu Hatem Shaqra (Ahmad al-Hayes) spoke at “victory” event today electing Ahmed al-Sharaa President of Syria.
Shaqra was sanctioned for crimes including “trafficking of Yazidi women & children” & his SNA militia Ahrar al-Sharqiya for Hevrin Khalaf’s… pic.twitter.com/wcgvn63Bvm
— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) January 30, 2025
Kurdish activist Hebun Omar noted the lack of female representation at the meeting hosted by al-Sharaa, pointing out that “unlike in North and East Syria, there is not a single woman in this meeting hosted by Ahmed Al-Sharaa”.
بعكس شمال وشرق سوريا..لا توجد “إمرأة واحدة” في هذا الاجتماع الذي عقده أحمد الشرع. pic.twitter.com/dDMAqUD5y0
— Hebun Omer هبون عمر (@hebunor) January 29, 2025
