Syria’s new interim leader takes charge amidst rebel backing, international scrutiny

Syria’s new interim leader, Mohammed al-Bashir, has announced, on Tuesday, that he will be taking charge of the country as caretaker prime minister.

This move comes with the backing of the former rebels who successfully toppled President Bashar al-Assad just three days ago.

In a brief address on state television, al-Bashir, a relatively unknown figure in Syria, outlined his plans to lead the interim authority until March 1.

He stated, “Today we held a cabinet meeting that included a team from the Salvation government that was working in Idlib and its vicinity, and the government of the ousted regime.” Al-Bashir’s administration will focus on transferring files and institutions to ensure a smooth transition of power.

Notably, al-Bashir previously ran an administration in a rebel-controlled pocket of northwest Syria. His background and experience will likely play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. During his address, two flags were prominently displayed behind him: the green, black, and white flag of the opposition and the white flag with the Islamic oath of faith, typically associated with Sunni Islamist fighters.

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In the Syrian capital, Damascus, signs of normalcy began to emerge as banks reopened for the first time since Assad’s overthrow. Shops and markets resumed operations, traffic returned to the roads, and cleaners swept the streets. Furthermore, there were fewer armed men visible, indicating a decrease in tensions.

According to sources close to the rebels, their command has ordered fighters to withdraw from cities, allowing police and internal security forces affiliated with the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) to deploy instead. HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate, has led the anti-Assad revolt and has recently downplayed its jihadist roots.

The international community is closely watching the developments in Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed Washington’s full support for Syria’s political transition process, emphasizing the need for inclusive and non-sectarian governance. Blinken stated that the process must prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism and ensure the safe destruction of any chemical or biological weapons stocks.

U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer noted that Washington is still determining how to engage with the rebel groups, emphasizing that actions, not words, will be the decisive factor.

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