Syrian transitional government

Last updated

Syrian transitional government
Coat of arms of Syria (2024-2024).svg
De facto coat of arms of Syria
Overview
Established8 December 2024 (2024-12-08)
State Syria
Leader President: Vacant
De facto head of state: Abu Mohammad al-Julani
Prime Minister: Mohammed al-Bashir
Ministries Government ministries of Syria
Headquarters Damascus
Website www.pministry.gov.sy

After the fall of the Assad regime and exile of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, a Syrian transitional government was installed in Damascus by the Syrian opposition. On 8 December 2024, hours after the opposition victory, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the outgoing prime minister of Syria, agreed to lead the transitional government in a caretaker capacity. [1] He transferred power to Mohammed al-Bashir, prime minister of the Syrian Salvation Government, the next day. [2] On 10 December, the transitional administration announced that it will last until 1 March 2025, with all ministers from the Syrian Salvation Government taking up their same posts in the new transitional government. [3]

Contents

Formation

Flag of the Syrian Transitional Government (Shahada).svg
Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg
Co-flags used by the government [a]
Top: tawhid flag
Bottom: Syrian revolutionary flag

Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the Syrian Salvation Government, stated on Telegram that Syrian public institutions would not immediately be taken over by force, and would instead temporarily be held by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali until the full political transition was completed. Al-Jalali announced in a social media video that he planned to stay in Damascus and cooperate with the Syrian people, while expressing hope that Syria could become "a normal country" and begin to engage in diplomacy with other nations. [8] [9] Jalali also expressed his readiness to "extend its hand" to the opposition. [10]

Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, said that an 18-month transitional period was needed to establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections. This period includes six months to draft a new constitution. This transition, according to al-Bahra, should be in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. [11]

The Prime Minister of the Syrian Salvation Government, Mohammed Al-Bashir, was tasked on 9 December with forming the new Syrian government during the transitional period. [2] He will hold this position until 1 March 2025. [12] The ministers of the Salvation Government will continue their duties in the transitional government. [13]

Policies

Economic reforms

Minister for the Economy Basil Abdul Aziz stated that there were plans to shift from a more state-controlled economic model towards a stronger free-market model, with a liberalisation of import-export controls. Registration with the Damascus Chambers of Commerce would be considered sufficient authorisation to import goods and the previously required approvals and permissions from the Central Bank of Syria would no longer be needed. Business leaders interviewed by Reuters described the promised changes as encouraging. The government stated that reconstruction investment was to be a priority, with civil war damage estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. [14] A source from the central bank and two commercial bank sources, speaking with Reuters, said that on 10 December banks would reopen and that staff had been asked to return. The Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources told employes to return to work the same day, with Deutsche Welle stating that the ministry had added "protection would be provided to ensure their safety". [15]

Administrative reforms

The transitional government began implementing administrative reforms immediately after taking control of Damascus. Mohammad Yasser Ghazal, a technocrat from the Syrian Salvation Government, was appointed to oversee the restructuring of the Damascus governorate, with plans to serve as city council president. The new administration began reviewing departmental functions and addressing issues of bureaucratic inefficiency inherited from the previous government. [16]

Initial reforms focused on streamlining government services and addressing corruption. The transitional authorities found numerous inefficient departments and positions, including redundant administrative divisions. The new government emphasized the digitization of services, citing the example of ID processing, which they had already implemented in Idlib. They also began addressing issues of phantom jobs and systemic corruption that had developed under the previous administration, where government employees had been receiving approximately $25 per month in salary; [16] which are to be increased to SSG government minimum wages of $100. [17]

The administrative transition included meetings between outgoing department heads and new officials to understand and reform existing bureaucratic structures. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir convened meetings between SSG ministers and former regime officials to facilitate the transfer of power to the new caretaker government. [16] The transitional government includes numerous senior officials from Idlib governorate, which Reuters said raised concerns over inclusiveness from opposition sources. Policemen from Idlib were brought to Damascus to direct traffic. [17]

Constitutional transition

A spokesman of the transitional government speaking to Agence France-Presse said that during the government's three-month term the constitution and parliament would remain suspended. Also adding that a 'judicial and human rights committee' would be established to "review" the constitution prior to making amendments. [18]

Members

PortfolioIncumbent Faction Since
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir [2] HTS/SSG 10 December 2024
Interior Mohammad Abdul Rahman HTS/SSG
Justice Shadi al-Waisi HTS/SSG
Economy Basel Abdul Aziz [14] HTS/SSG
Agriculture and Irrigation Mohammad al-Ahmad HTS/SSG
Information Mohammad al-Omar HTS/SSG
Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Hussam Haj Hussein HTS/SSG
Health Mazen Dukhan HTS/SSG
Education Nazir al-Qadri HTS/SSG
Higher Education Abdel Moneim Abdel Hafez HTS/SSG
Development Fadi al-Qassem HTS/SSG
Local Administration and Environment Mohamed Muslim HTS/SSG

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

The Cabinet of Syria was first constituted in the Syrian Constitution of 1930. Following the Fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Syria is currently undergoing a political transition, with Mohammed al-Bashir leading a Syrian Transitional Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Syria</span> Central government of Syria

The government of Syria is currently in a transitional period led by the Syrian Transitional Government. The seat of the government is located in Damascus, Syria. The previous government consisted of a President, a Prime Minister, and a legislative council with 250 seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syria–United Arab Emirates relations</span> Bilateral relations

Syria–United Arab Emirates relations refer to the relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria. The UAE has an embassy in Damascus and Syria has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. Both countries are members of the Arab League, part of the Middle East region and share close cultural ties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrian opposition</span> Political groups opposed to Bashar al-Assad

The Syrian opposition is an umbrella term for the groups that opposed the Assad regime in Syria. In July 2011, at the beginning of the Syrian civil war, defectors from the Syrian Arab Armed Forces formed the Free Syrian Army, a name that was later used by several armed factions during the conflict. In November 2012, political groups operating from abroad formed the Syrian National Coalition (SNC). In turn, the Coalition formed the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) which operated first as a government-in-exile and, from 2015, in certain zones of Syria. In 2017, the Islamist group Tahrir al-Sham, unaffiliated to the SNC, formed the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in the areas it controlled. Rebel armed forces during the civil war have included the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, affiliated to the SIG, the Southern Operations Room and the Revolutionary Commando Army. Other groups that challenged Bashar al-Assad's rule during the civil war were the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, and the jihadist organization known as the Islamic State.

Abu Mohammad al-Julani Emir of Tahrir al-Sham since 2017

Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is a Syrian revolutionary militant who has served as the emir of Tahrir al-Sham since 2017. As the leader of Tahrir al-Sham, he played a key role in the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives, which ultimately led to the overthrow of the Assad regime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrian Salvation Government</span> De facto government in Syria

The Syrian Salvation Government was a de facto unrecognized quasi-state in Syria formed in November 2017 by Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other Syrian opposition groups during the Syrian civil war. It controlled much of northwest Syria, and had an estimated population of over 4,000,000 in 2023. Its de facto capital was Idlib.

Events in the year 2024 in Syria.

Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali is a Syrian politician and civil engineer who served as the 69th prime minister of Syria from 14 September to 10 December 2024. He is the last person to serve as Prime Minister of Syria under president Bashar al-Assad and of the Syrian Arab Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali government</span> Government of Syria

The government of Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali was formed after appointment by the president of Syria on 23 September 2024 and new Council of Ministers took the oath of office on 24 September 2024, after the 2024 Syrian parliamentary election held on 15 July 2024. This replaced the caretaker ministry formed in July. The government was the 96th since Syria gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and was the ninth and last during the presidency of Bashar al-Assad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammed al-Bashir</span> Prime Minister of Syria since 2024

Mohammed al-Bashir is a Syrian politician and engineer who currently serves as the 70th prime minister of Syria. He has led the Syrian Transitional Government since 10 December 2024, which was formed after the fall of the Assad regime, and succeeded Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali in his role. Al-Bashir also served as the 5th prime minister of the Syrian Salvation Government, the civilian administration of the Sunni Islamist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), between his election on 13 January 2024 and appointment as transitional prime minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall of Damascus</span> 2024 event in the Syrian civil war

On 7 December 2024, the Syrian opposition group known as the Southern Operations Room led forces that entered the Rif Dimashq region of Syria from the south, and those forces then came within 20 kilometres (12 mi) of the capital Damascus. The Syrian Arab Army withdrew from multiple points in the outskirts. Concurrently with the advance towards Damascus, opposition militia Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army in the north launched an offensive into Homs, while the Revolutionary Commando Army advanced into the capital from the southeast. By 8 December 2024, rebel forces entered the city's Barzeh neighborhood. According to official state reports in Russian mass media and media footage, President Bashar al-Assad left Damascus by air to Moscow, where he has been granted asylum, sealing the fall of his regime.

On 7 December 2024, Syrian opposition Southern Operations Room forces entered the Rif Dimashq region from the south, and came within 20 kilometres (12 mi) of the capital Damascus. The Syrian Arab Army withdrew from multiple points in the outskirts. Concurrently with the advance towards Damascus, opposition Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army in the north launched an offensive into Homs city, while the Syrian Free Army advanced into the capital from the southeast. The opposition captured the capital on 8 December with minimal resistance and Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, marking the end of his regime in Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall of the Assad regime</span> End of Bashar al-Assads rule in Syria in 2024

On 8 December 2024, the Syrian Arab Republic under Bashar al-Assad collapsed amid major offensives by the Syrian opposition as part of the Syrian civil war which began in 2011. The fall of Damascus marked the end of the Assad family regime, which had ruled Syria as a totalitarian hereditary dictatorship since Hafez al-Assad assumed the presidency in 1971 following the Corrective Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad Abdul Rahman (politician)</span> Syrian politician (born 1985)

Mohammad Abdul Rahman is the current Minister of Interior in the Syrian Salvation Government for the government's sixth term since 2022 and the Minister of Interior in the Syrian transitional government since December 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadi al-Waisi</span> Syrian politician (born 1985)

Shadi Mohammad al-Waisi is the current Minister of Justice in the Syrian Salvation Government in the sixth term of the government since 2022. and the Minister of Justice in the Syrian transitional government since December 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basel Abdul Aziz</span> Syrian politician (born 1984)

Basel Abdul Aziz is the current Minister of Economy and Resources in the Syrian Salvation Government and, since December 2024, the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade in the Syrian transitional government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad al-Ahmad</span> Syrian politician (born 1982)

Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad is the current Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation in the Syrian Salvation Government, and, since December 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Transitional Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad al-Omar</span> Syrian Information Minister

Mohammad Yaqoub al-Omar is the current Minister of Information in the Syrian Salvation Government, serving in its seventh term. and, since 2024, Minister of Information in the Syrian Transitional Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hussam Haj Hussein</span> Syrian minister (born 1977)

Hussam Haj Hussein is the Minister of Religious Endowments and Guidance in the Syrian Salvation Government since the fourth term of the government in 2021, continuing through its fifth and sixth terms, and, since December 2024, Minister of Endowments in the Syrian Transitional Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazir al-Qadri</span> Syrian politician and educator (born 1970)

Nazir Mohammad al-Qadri is a Syrian politician and educator currently serving as the Minister of Education in the Syrian Salvation Government and, since December 2024, the Minister of Education in the Syrian Transitional Government.

References

  1. ↑ "Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom". WHNT.com. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Mohammed al-Bashir assigned to form new Syrian government". Ammon News. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  3. ↑ "Mohammed al-Bashir officially the head of the transitional government in Syria until March 2025". Independent Arabia. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  4. ↑ https://pministry.gov.sy/contents/30775/%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9--%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B8-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8
  5. ↑ https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/12/11/951bec6e-d1e6-4c8c-a69b-940a212eec9e_595de0ff.jpg
  6. ↑ https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/06/world/video/abu-mohammad-al-jolani-syria-rebel-leader-karadsheh-digvid
  7. ↑ https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/middleeastnews/823325/mohammed-al-bashir-appointed-caretaker-syrian-pm-for-transitional-gove/en
  8. ↑ "Syria latest: 'The future is ours,' says rebel leader after Assad flees Damascus". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Opposition forces impose curfew in Syrian capital Damascus". bne IntelliNews. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  10. ↑ Michaelson, Ruth. "Bashar al-Assad reported to have fled Syria as rebels say they have captured Damascus claim". The Guardian . Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "Syrian opposition leader says state institutions will be preserved in 18-month transition". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  12. ↑ "Mohamed al-Bashir appointed caretaker Syrian PM for transitional government until March". Reuters. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "الحكومة السورية الانتقالية برئاسة البشير تتسلم مقاليد السلطة في دمشق". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. 1 2 Timour Azhari (10 December 2024), Exclusive: Syria's new rulers back shift to free-market economy, business leader says, Reuters, Wikidata   Q131421935, archived from the original on 10 December 2024
  15. ↑ "What's next for Syria's devastated economy? – DW – 12/10/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 Jalabi, Raya; Dadouch, Sarah (11 December 2024). "The department of flags: Syrian rebels lay bare Assad's corrupt state". Financial Times. Damascus. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  17. 1 2 Azhari, Timour; Gebeily, Maya; Perry, Tom (12 December 2024). "Syrian rebel leader, after Assad's ouster, puts his own stamp on the state". Reuters .
  18. ↑ AFP (12 December 2024). "Syria's new govt says to suspend constitution, parliament for three months". Brecorder. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.