Islamist Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's interim president

Syrian Kurdish groups were not invited to the meeting

DAMASCUS,— Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was officially named Wednesday by factions that overthrew President Bashar Assad in early December.

The announcement follows a meeting of former Islamist rebel groups in Damascus, as the country faces the monumental challenge of rebuilding after nearly 14 years of civil war. Notably, Syrian Kurdish groups were not invited to the meeting.

The Islamist factions also abolished Syria’s constitution, which was established under Assad, and stated that a new one will be drafted soon.

Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group responsible for Assad’s downfall.

HTS, which had once been affiliated with al-Qaida, distanced itself from the terrorist organization years ago. Al-Sharaa has sought to position himself as a proponent of pluralism, tolerance, and the protection of women’s and minority rights.

According to the state-run SANA news agency, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, spokesperson for Syria’s new military operations sector, confirmed the appointment, although the exact process for selecting al-Sharaa remains unclear.

The United States had previously offered a $10 million bounty for al-Sharaa’s capture, but lifted the reward after a U.S. delegation visited Damascus and met with him last month. U.S. diplomat Barbara Leaf described al-Sharaa as “pragmatic” after the meeting.

During the announcement, al-Sharaa, dressed in military uniform, emphasized the “heavy task and great responsibility” facing Syria’s new leadership.

He stressed the importance of legitimacy, legal authority, and maintaining civil peace through transitional justice and reconciliation efforts. He warned against arrogance in victory, which could lead to tyranny.

In Damascus and other areas, citizens celebrated the announcement, with some honking car horns and firing celebratory shots in the air. Many expressed strong support for al-Sharaa, citing his leadership in the battle to overthrow Assad.

However, some opposition groups voiced concerns over the lack of clarity in the appointment process and the absence of a clear plan for the future.

Mohammad Salim Alkhateb, an official with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, expressed disappointment, stating that while the decisions were not problematic, the timing and confusion surrounding the process were.

Qatar welcomed al-Sharaa’s appointment, emphasizing its support for decisions that foster unity among Syrian factions and pave the way for a peaceful transfer of power. Western nations, while slowly restoring ties with Syria after Assad’s removal, remain cautious about the new Islamist leadership.

Al-Sharaa’s appointment comes as HTS has solidified its position as the de facto ruling authority in Syria. The group has established an interim government primarily composed of officials from Idlib province, which was under their control.

The interim administration has promised to form a new government and constitution through a national dialogue, though no timeline has been set.

As the former Syrian military collapsed, al-Sharaa has advocated for the creation of a unified national army and security forces. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which control an autonomous region in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), northern Syria.

Tensions between the SDF and Turkish-backed groups have risen, with clashes reported in recent months.

The Kurdish SDF was not present at the meeting where al-Sharaa’s appointment was confirmed, and no official statement has been made by the group.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this month, Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, urged international assistance in the country’s rebuilding efforts.

(With files from AP)