Damascus: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the formation of a transitional government on Saturday, appointing 23 ministers in a broad-based cabinet aimed at steering the country away from decades of Assad family rule and improving relations with the West.
The newly established Sunni Islamist-led administration has been under mounting pressure from Western and Arab nations to ensure greater inclusivity, reflecting Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious makeup. This pressure intensified following recent violence along Syria’s western coast, where hundreds of Alawite civilians—members of the minority sect to which former leader Bashar al-Assad belonged—were killed.
The cabinet includes Yarub Badr, an Alawite, as transportation minister, while Amgad Badr, from the Druze community, will oversee the agriculture ministry. Hind Kabawat, a Christian advocate for interfaith tolerance and women’s empowerment who previously opposed Assad, has been appointed minister of social affairs and labor. Mohammed Yosr Bernieh will serve as finance minister.
Murhaf Abu Qasra and Asaad al-Shibani retain their positions as defense and foreign ministers, respectively, continuing their roles from the caretaker government that has governed Syria since Assad’s removal in December following a swift rebel offensive.
For the first time, Sharaa has established a ministry for sports and another for emergencies. Raed al-Saleh, head of the renowned White Helmets rescue group, has been appointed minister of emergencies, a move seen as crucial in addressing Syria’s ongoing humanitarian crises.
Also Read | Russian Drone Strikes Kill Two, Injure Dozens in Kharkiv
Sharaa, who assumed office as interim president in January, had pledged to form an inclusive transitional government capable of restoring Syria’s crippled public institutions and managing the country until elections are held. The electoral process, he has indicated, could take up to five years.
Unlike previous administrations, the transitional government will operate without a prime minister, with Sharaa leading the executive branch directly.
Also Read | Zelenskiy Calls for Strong Western Response to Russian Drone Strikes
Earlier this month, Syria adopted a constitutional declaration designed to guide the interim period. The document upholds a central role for Islamic law while guaranteeing women’s rights and freedom of expression, setting the framework for Syria’s political transition.
