DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria’s new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a number one determine within the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister within the interim authorities, an official supply stated on Saturday.
Abu Qasra, who can also be recognized by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior determine within the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the marketing campaign that ousted Assad this month. He led quite a few navy operations throughout Syria’s revolution, the supply stated.
Syria’s de facto chief Ahmed al-Sharaa mentioned “the form of the military institution in the new Syria” throughout a gathering with armed factions on Saturday, state information company SANA reported.
Abu Qasra in the course of the assembly sat subsequent to Sharaa, additionally recognized by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, photographs printed by SANA confirmed.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir stated this week that the defence ministry could be restructured utilizing former insurgent factions and officers who defected from Assad’s military.
Bashir, who previously led an HTS-affiliated administration within the northwestern province of Idlib, has stated he’ll lead a three-month transitional authorities. The brand new administration has not declared plans for what’s going to occur after that.
Earlier on Saturday, the ruling Normal Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as overseas minister, SANA stated. A supply within the new administration instructed Reuters that this step “comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability”.
Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus College, beforehand led the political division of the rebels’ Idlib authorities, the Normal Command stated.
Sharaa’s group was a part of al Qaeda till he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to Idlib for years till happening the offensive in late November, sweeping via the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the military melted away.
Sharaa has met with quite a few worldwide envoys this week. He has stated his major focus is on reconstruction and attaining financial growth and that he’s not desirous about partaking in any new conflicts.
Syrian rebels seized management of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after greater than 13 years of civil battle and ending his household’s decades-long rule.
Washington designated Sharaa a terrorist in 2013, saying al Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad’s rule and establishing Islamic sharia legislation in Syria. U.S. officers stated on Friday that Washington would take away a $10 million bounty on his head.
The battle has killed lots of of 1000’s of individuals, brought about one of many greatest refugee crises of contemporary instances and left cities bombed to rubble and the financial system hollowed out by world sanctions.