Syrian Rebel Group Names Transitional Government Head After Ousting Assad

Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist rebel group that seized control of parts of northwestern Syria over the weekend, has appointed Mohammed Al Bashir to head a transitional government, Bloomberg reports, citing Syrian television.

While details remain scarce, the report indicates Al Bashir will oversee the transition period following the group’s ouster of President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces from the region.

Al Bashir, a trained engineer, previously led a quasi-government established in 2017 by HTS in Idlib. This administration governed the city and surrounding HTS-controlled territories.

According to Arabiya TV, the appointment followed a meeting between Al Bashir, HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and the current Prime Minister, Ghazi al-Jalali.