Syria Forms Transitional Government After Assad’s Removal

Syria Forms Transitional Government After Assad’s Removal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Syria’s newly formed transitional government was sworn in Saturday, marking a major step in the country’s recovery after Bashar Assad’s removal nearly four months ago. The 23-member Cabinet, announced just before Eid al-Fitr, includes religious and ethnic diversity. Its central mission is to stabilize Syria and rebuild war-damaged institutions.

Post-Assad Syria Government – Quick Looks

• Syria swears in first transitional government since Assad’s ouster
• Cabinet formed days before Eid al-Fitr begins
• New government includes religious, ethnic minorities and women
• Ahmad al-Sharaa serves as interim president under new constitution
• Cabinet replaces interim government installed after Assad’s removal
• No prime minister; government led by secretary general
• Defense and foreign ministers retained from interim administration
• Former White Helmets leader Raed Saleh joins as disaster minister
• Ex-intelligence chief named new interior minister
• SDF not included in Cabinet despite ceasefire deal with Damascus
• Cabinet aims to rebuild energy, education, and emergency sectors
• U.S. warns of possible Eid-related attacks in Syria

Deep Look

Nearly four months after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria’s new transitional government was officially sworn in Saturday, setting the stage for a five-year post-conflict rebuilding period as the nation grapples with instability, sectarian tensions, and a deep economic crisis.

The 23-member Cabinet, announced on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, reflects a religiously and ethnically diverse lineup—a symbolic move intended to signal unity and inclusivity after more than a decade of devastating civil war. The formation of this government marks a pivotal moment for the new administration led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who signed a temporary constitution earlier this month.

Unlike previous Syrian governments, the new administration will not have a prime minister. Instead, a secretary general will oversee Cabinet affairs, a structural change that reflects both the transitional nature of the new leadership and a shift toward a collective governance model during the rebuilding phase.

Al-Sharaa, in a nationally broadcast speech, declared the new Cabinet to be “a declaration of our joint will to build a new state,” emphasizing a vision of unity, reform, and reconciliation.

A New Political Order

The Cabinet maintains continuity in key positions—most notably the foreign affairs and defense ministers, who served under the interim government. However, the majority of posts have been filled by new figures, many with reputations as reformers or members of previously marginalized groups.

Among the most notable appointees:

• Anas Khattab, former intelligence director, now serves as Minister of Interior
• Hind Kabawat, a long-time Christian opposition activist, named Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
• Raed Saleh, former head of the White Helmets, assumes the role of Minister for Emergency Disasters
• Mohammed Terko, a Kurdish educator based in Damascus, takes over as Minister of Education
• Mohammed al-Bashir, who led the interim government post-Assad, now serves as Minister of Energy, tasked with restoring power and oil infrastructure

The absence of representatives from the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its associated civil administration in northeastern Syria remains a glaring omission. This comes despite a recent breakthrough deal between President al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, which included a nationwide ceasefire and a framework to integrate SDF units into the national army.

While SDF leadership is not currently reflected in the Cabinet, ongoing talks may lead to future collaboration if the ceasefire holds.

A Nation Still on Edge

Despite the formation of the new government, security remains a top concern. Clashes and retaliatory violence in Syria’s coastal Alawite region earlier this month resulted in over 1,000 deaths, mostly among members of the Alawite minority. The legacy of sectarian conflict, made worse by the fall of a long-standing Alawite-led regime, poses a major hurdle for any future reconciliation.

The transitional government appears to be making a calculated effort to include minority groups—including women, Christians, Kurds, and even an Alawite minister—in order to appeal to the international community and ease long-standing Western demands for inclusivity in Syria’s political process.

This strategic move may be aimed at persuading Western governments to ease crippling sanctions, many of which date back to the early years of the Assad regime. These sanctions have contributed to an economic collapse, with 90% of Syrians now living below the poverty line, according to U.N. estimates. The economic pressure is further compounded by cuts to international food aid.

Security Warnings Ahead of Eid

As the government took office, the U.S. State Department issued a security advisory warning of possible attacks in Damascus and other Syrian cities during the Eid holiday. Potential targets include embassies, international organizations, and public institutions. The advisory cautioned that attacks could take the form of lone-wolf assaults, armed raids, or improvised explosives, and urged caution for any remaining foreign personnel on the ground.

The threat underscores the fragile nature of Syria’s recovery, even as it takes steps toward political normalization.

Looking Ahead

The transitional government’s primary mission is clear: end the war, restore state functions, and rebuild trust among fractured communities. Whether this diverse Cabinet can deliver remains to be seen, but its composition is an early signal that the post-Assad era may bring a different approach to governance—one shaped by inclusion, reconstruction, and cautious diplomacy.

For now, Syria’s new leaders must balance internal reconciliation with external diplomacy, and move swiftly to contain security threats while navigating a long road to national recovery.

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