HTS politician al-Bashir is to form Syria’s new government

“The will of the people”

He is now supposed to form Syria’s new government

Updated 12/10/2024Reading time: 2 min.

Central role: The politician Mohammed al-Bashir is supposed to lead a transitional government. (Quelle: Screenshot/X)

The future of Syria remains open after the fall of the Assad regime. Now the man has been appointed who will create new political structures.

After the coup in Syria, the rebel alliance is paving the way for a transitional government: After a top meeting in the capital Damascus, Mohammed al-Bashir, previously head of government in the rebel stronghold of Idlib, was tasked with forming a new Syrian government, as several Arab media report.

Bashir was previously prime minister in Idlib province, which is controlled by the jihadist militia Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The HTS is the most important group whose attack first captured Damascus and ultimately overthrew the Assad regime. Bashir reportedly studied electronics engineering and Islamic law. He is in his early 40s.

In addition to the Islamist rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani and al-Bashir, the previously incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali also took part in the meeting. A smooth transfer of administrative business and the circumstances of the transfer of power were agreed, as the Al-Arabija news channel reported.

In a televised speech, al-Jalali said he would support the interim government. “Discussions are taking place to manage the transition,” he said. “What happened in Syria is a revolution. It is the will of the people and their desire for change.”

The Foreign Office made it clear on Monday that the Syrian rebel group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is also considered a terrorist organization in Germany. “HTS is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations Security Council,” says the Berlin ministry. “These UN sanctions lists are implemented by the European Union and therefore also apply to Germany. HTS is therefore also considered a terrorist organization in Germany.”

This means that HTS’s funds and economic resources in Germany will be frozen. In addition, no money or other economic resources may be made available to HTS. However, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution does not specifically list the organization as a terrorist organization in Germany.