Syria's new defence minister vows to protect unity, challenges PKK/YPG

Murhaf Abu Qasra, also known as Abu Hassan 600, a senior leader in the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been appointed as the new defence minister of Syria's interim government.

In his first interview, Qasra issued an ultimatum to the PKK/YPG/SDF terrorist organization, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

He emphasized the Syrian government's stance on the Kurdish issue, stating, "We distinguish between the Kurdish people and the SDF. The Kurdish people, like all other components of the Syrian people, will get their full rights. However, to put it simply, there will be no disintegration, federalism or similar projects. Syria will remain united."

According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, the de facto leader of the new Syrian government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, held a meeting on December 21 with various armed groups to discuss the formation of the military establishment in the newly structured Syria.

In related developments, Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister of Syria, announced this month that the defence ministry would undergo reorganization, incorporating former groups and officers who had previously left Assad’s army.

Abu Qasra hails from Halfaya and is renowned as a military strategist in Idlib. He has been instrumental in designing and leading major military operations in the region.

Previously, he served as the Chief Military Commander of HTS and played a critical role in improving the group’s military capabilities and organizational structure. Abu Qasra was also one of the primary architects behind the “Countering Aggression” military campaign, which saw significant coordination among opposition forces.

This appointment is seen as a strategic move to unify military efforts during the transitional period in Syria, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime earlier this month.

By Vafa Guliyeva