Syria appoints defence minister as part of transitional government

Syria has announced a new defence minister.

Murhaf Abu Kasra has become Syria's defence minister as part of the transitional government, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

He previously held the position of commander of the military wing of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is banned in Russia.

In early December, this organisation took control of Syria's biggest cities and overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Moreover, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani was appointed Syria’s foreign minister under the transitional government. The command of the Free Syrian Army, supported by the US and Türkiye, issued a statement marking the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule. In late November, the armed opposition in Syria launched the biggest offensive in the northern part since 2020. 

After the capture of Damascus on December 8, the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad was declared. On December 10, a transitional Syrian government, led by Mohammed al-Bashir, was formed. Assad stated that he had no intention of resigning or leaving the country. 

He remained in Damascus until the morning of December 8. When the opposition entered the capital, the politician moved to the Latakia province, to the Russian military base in Hmeimim. There he learned of fall of Damascus and the Russian authorities offered him evacuation.

By Naila Huseynova