Syria Photo: AP Syria Photo: AP Two weeks after the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syria is going through a transition in both political and diplomatic landscapes. The new ruling administration, under the de facto leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, has taken significant steps to solidify its authority and forge international relations, even as concerns about security and governance continue to dominate the region.
On Saturday, the Syrian state news agency SANA announced the appointment of Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as the country’s new foreign minister and Murhaf Abu Qasra as defense minister.
These appointments follow the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8, when opposition forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Damascus after over a decade of brutal civil war.
Abu Qasra, also known as nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure within HTS, a group with roots in the al-Qaeda movement. His role as defense minister has raised eyebrows internationally, with observers questioning whether HTS is consolidating power and positioning itself to dominate the new Syrian government. Both Abu Qasra and al-Shibani are closely linked to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now considered the country’s de facto ruler.
This new administration has been focusing on international outreach, signaling its intent to establish diplomatic ties to stabilize the country, Al Jazeera reported. The new government is keen on achieving peace and stability for Syria.
US announces bounty on Ahmed al-SharaaMeanwhile, the United States announced it would drop a $10 million bounty on Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of HTS, after an uprising that toppled President Bashar al-Assad. This move came after US diplomats visited Damascus to engage with the new leadership. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, who led the delegation, said that the US is “looking forward to a productive dialogue” with Syria’s transitional government.
HTS has long been designated a “terrorist” organization by Washington. Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who was once aligned with al-Qaeda, now faces a delicate balancing act of gaining international legitimacy while navigating Western concerns about extremism.
Leaf emphasized that the US would support a Syrian-led process toward a more inclusive and representative government, focusing on the protection of all Syrians, including women and ethnic minorities.
Turkey vows to protect its securityTurkey, which has been a key player in the Syrian conflict, is watching the Syrian transition closely. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made it clear that Turkey would “do whatever it takes” to protect its security if the new Syrian administration cannot address Ankara’s concerns regarding the Kurdish YPG group, Reuters reported.
Turkey views the militant group YPG, a key ally of the US in the fight against ISIS, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
Fidan’s comments signal that Turkey may escalate its military presence in northern Syria unless the new government in Damascus agrees to disband the YPG. “We are committed to ensuring our national security,” Reuters quoted Fidan. He further added that Ankara's preferred solution is for the new Syrian government to address Kurdish militancy within the framework of Syria’s territorial integrity.
Qatar reopens embassy in SyriaAmid the transition in Syria, Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus on Saturday after a 13-year hiatus. The embassy was closed early in Syria’s war.
Qatar is the second country, after Turkey, to officially reopen diplomatic missions in Syria.
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The EU also said on Tuesday that it was ready to reopen its diplomatic mission in Damascus. France also raised its flag over its embassy in Damascus on the same day but the country’s special envoy to Syria said the mission would remain closed “as long as security criteria are not met”.
Lebanese leader Jumblatt meets Al-Sharaa
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, a prominent Lebanese politician held talks on Sunday with the insurgent who led the overthrow of Syria's President Bashar Assad, with both expressing hope for a new era in relations between their countries, AP reported.
388heroJumblatt held talks with Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who led the Sunni Islamist rebels who swept into Damascus earlier this month and forced the younger Assad from power. “We salute the Syrian people for their great victories and we salute you for your battle that you waged to get rid of oppression and tyranny that lasted over 50 years,” said Jumblatt, a key figure in Lebanon's Druze minority and the former leader of a leftist party.
He expressed hope that Lebanese-Syrian relations “will return to normal.”
Jumblatt has been a longtime critic of Syria's involvement in Lebanon and blamed Assad's father, former President Hafez Assad, for the assassination of his own father decades ago.
He is the most prominent Lebanese politician to visit Syria since the Assad family's 54-year rule came to an end.bbc or big baller club