Syria’s Interim President Names New Government Dominated by Allies

DAMASCUS, 30 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced the formation of a new transitional government, heavily comprised of close allies and featuring only one woman in the cabinet. This government replaces the caretaker authorities that had been in place since the ousting of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The long-awaited announcement, initially planned for earlier this month, comes amid mounting international pressure for an inclusive transitional government following years of sectarian conflict. The country’s new leadership now faces the immense task of rebuilding Syria’s war-torn institutions and uniting a fractured population after Assad’s overthrow on 8 December 2024 ended 14 years of civil war.

Key Appointments in the New Government

Several of Sharaa’s close associates have retained their ministerial positions, ensuring continuity within the government’s core leadership:

Hind Kabawat, a veteran opposition leader from Syria’s Christian minority, is the only woman appointed in Sharaa’s cabinet. Her appointment is seen as an attempt to address concerns about minority representation in the new administration.

Raed al-Saleh, previously the head of the White Helmets—a civil defence group that operated in opposition-held areas during the civil war—has been named Minister of Emergency Situations and Disasters. His appointment is expected to bolster Syria’s humanitarian response as the country struggles to recover from years of conflict and destruction.

Challenges Facing the New Government

The new administration faces numerous challenges, including deep-seated sectarian divisions and concerns over the influence of Islamist factions within the ruling coalition. Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a militant Islamist group that played a pivotal role in Assad’s ousting—was appointed interim president in late January. His government has promised to protect Syria’s diverse communities, particularly in light of recent clashes between Assad’s Alawite supporters and Sunni rebel militias.

The transitional period has been set for five years, as outlined in the constitutional declaration signed by Sharaa earlier this month. However, human rights groups and analysts have raised concerns that the declaration grants excessive powers to the president, with limited safeguards for minority rights.

International Response and Future Prospects

The international community has urged Sharaa to form a more inclusive government, ensuring that all Syrian factions and ethnic groups are represented in the transition process. The absence of significant Kurdish, Druze, and other minority leaders from key positions has raised questions about the long-term viability of the administration.

As Syria embarks on a new chapter, the effectiveness of this transitional government in addressing governance, security, and humanitarian challenges will determine whether the war-torn nation can finally move towards stability and reconstruction.