Syria’s Post-Assad Leadership: Former Rebel Chief Takes Power \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian rebel factions have named Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel leader, as the country’s interim president. Al-Sharaa, formerly affiliated with al-Qaida, now leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that orchestrated Assad’s overthrow. The new administration has also abolished Syria’s 2012 constitution and pledged to draft a new charter. While Western nations remain cautious, Qatar has welcomed the transition, calling for national unity and political dialogue.
Syria’s New Leadership: Quick Looks
- Interim President Appointed: Ahmad al-Sharaa, once linked to al-Qaida, will lead Syria’s transitional government.
- Constitution Abolished: The 2012 Syrian constitution adopted under Assad has been annulled, with plans for a new charter.
- HTS Consolidates Power: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has emerged as Syria’s dominant political force post-Assad.
- International Reactions: Qatar supports the new leadership, while Western nations remain cautious.
- Kurdish Uncertainty: Kurdish-led forces were absent from negotiations, raising concerns over ethnic and political divisions.
- Future Governance Plans: The new leadership promises an inclusive transition process, but no timeline has been set.
Syria’s Post-Assad Transition: A Deep Look
Syria’s New Leadership After Assad’s Collapse
One month after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s newly dominant rebel factions have taken a crucial step in reshaping the nation. On Wednesday, they formally appointed Ahmad al-Sharaa as Syria’s interim president, marking the beginning of a new era of governance after nearly 14 years of civil war.
Al-Sharaa, once known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the offensive that toppled Assad in December 2024. HTS, which previously operated as an al-Qaida affiliate, has since rebranded itself as a nationalist Islamist movement, attempting to distance itself from its extremist past.
The appointment was announced in Damascus by Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani, spokesperson for Syria’s new ruling military coalition, through the state-run SANA news agency.
However, questions remain over how the factions selected al-Sharaa, as the exact mechanism of his appointment has not been disclosed. Additionally, al-Sharaa, who was expected to address the nation in a televised speech, did not immediately do so, fueling speculation about the political maneuvering behind his appointment.
New Government Moves to Overhaul Syrian Institutions
As part of Syria’s transitional governance plan, the 2012 constitution, drafted under Assad, has been officially annulled.
“A new constitution will be written soon,” announced Abdul Ghani.
Al-Sharaa has been granted the authority to establish a temporary legislative council, which will oversee the government until the new constitution is drafted and ratified.
In another significant move, all armed factions in Syria are to be dissolved and integrated into state institutions. This process will be challenging, given the deep ideological and territorial divisions between the various armed groups that participated in the civil war.
HTS, which previously governed rebel-held Idlib province, has now become the de facto ruling authority of the entire country. The group has vowed to launch a national dialogue process, inviting representatives from all Syrian communities to participate in shaping Syria’s future government. However, no official timeline has been provided for this transition.
Who is Ahmad al-Sharaa? A Controversial Leader
Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has had a complex and controversial past.
- He was once a commander within al-Qaida, before later breaking ties with the group.
- Under his leadership, HTS distanced itself from global jihadist networks, attempting to position itself as a Syrian nationalist movement rather than an international terrorist organization.
- In recent years, he has portrayed himself as a moderate, advocating for pluralism, tolerance, and women’s rights—a stance that many observers view with skepticism.
Notably, the United States had previously placed a $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa due to his al-Qaida ties. However, last month, Washington lifted the bounty, following a U.S. delegation’s visit to Damascus where diplomats met with al-Sharaa.
“Al-Sharaa came across as pragmatic,” said Barbara Leaf, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, after the meeting.
Despite Western nations beginning to re-engage with Damascus, they remain wary of Syria’s new Islamist-led government, watching closely how al-Sharaa handles governance and security.
International Reactions & Concerns
Qatar Supports the Transition
Qatar was the first country to react, expressing support for Syria’s transition. The Qatari government called for measures that would “enhance consensus and unity” among all factions, promoting a peaceful political process.
Western Nations Remain Cautious
While the West has moved to restore diplomatic ties with Damascus since Assad’s downfall, there is hesitation regarding Syria’s new Islamist rulers.
Many Western policymakers fear that HTS’s control could lead to an authoritarian Islamic state, reversing efforts to establish a democratic post-war Syria.
“Creating a stable and inclusive government in Syria will require more than just a change in leadership,” said a senior EU diplomat.
The United States and European Union have yet to formally recognize the new government, though back-channel diplomatic discussions are reportedly ongoing.
Challenges Ahead: Kurds & Internal Divisions
While HTS has consolidated power in much of Syria, major challenges remain—most notably, the issue of Kurdish autonomy.
Since the early years of Syria’s civil war, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces have carved out an autonomous region in northeastern Syria, remaining largely independent from both Assad’s government and the opposition rebels.
Now, with HTS taking control, tensions have escalated between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed HTS forces in northern Syria.
Notably, Kurdish representatives were absent from Wednesday’s government formation meeting, and the SDF has yet to issue a formal response to the new leadership.
Without a clear solution to the Kurdish issue, Syria’s transition risks further fragmentation and potential internal conflict.
Looking Ahead: Syria’s Path to Reconstruction
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Syria’s newly appointed Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, made a direct appeal to the international community, urging support for Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
“Syria has endured one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history,” al-Shibani stated. “We need global cooperation to rebuild our nation.”
However, the path to stability and reconstruction remains uncertain, with many political, ethnic, and security challenges still unresolved.
The world is watching to see whether al-Sharaa and his interim government can successfully transition Syria toward peace—or plunge it into another cycle of conflict.
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