Syria’s new government faces divisions, aims for rebuilding despite challenges

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa outlined the goals of the newly formed transitional government, which aims to rebuild the war-torn country, but acknowledged that it would be unable to meet everyone's expectations.

The 23-member cabinet, announced on March 29, comes more than three months after Sharaa’s Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led an offensive that toppled longtime president Bashar al-Assad, Caliber.Az reports per Arab media.

The transitional cabinet, which does not include a prime minister, has faced significant opposition, particularly from the autonomous Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria. The Kurds have rejected the government’s legitimacy, arguing that it does not reflect the country’s ethnic and sectarian diversity.

Speaking at the presidential palace, following Eid al-Fitr prayers, Sharaa stressed the government’s aim of rebuilding Syria, but admitted that achieving consensus would be a challenging task. “Any steps we take will not reach consensus – this is normal – but we must reach a consensus as much as possible,” he told the gathering, broadcast on Syrian television.

After nearly 14 years of brutal civil war, the authorities are now focused on reuniting the country and its institutions. The new cabinet, which predominantly comprises Sharaa's supporters, is seen as a step toward consolidating power, though its legitimacy is questioned by many.

Sharaa stated that the ministers were selected based on competence and expertise, rather than ideological or political affiliation. The majority of the cabinet members are Sunni Muslims, which reflects Syria’s demographic makeup. In a bid to address Syria's diversity, the government also includes four ministers from minority groups: a Christian, a Druze, a Kurd, and an Alawite. However, none of them have been given significant portfolios.

Sharaa defended the government's composition, explaining that it was designed to consider Syria's diverse society but rejected a quota system for religious and ethnic minorities. Instead, he emphasized the importance of “participation” in governance. "A new history is being written for Syria... we are all writing it," he said.

This month, Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration establishing a five-year transitional period for Syria. However, some experts and human rights organizations have expressed concerns, arguing that the declaration consolidates power in Sharaa's hands while offering inadequate protections for minorities.

The announcement of the transitional government comes amid growing sectarian violence, including recent massacres in Alawite-majority areas, marking the worst outbreak of sectarian bloodshed since Assad’s ouster. Sharaa has vowed to hold those responsible for the violence accountable and has promised the creation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the atrocities.

By Vafa Guliyeva