Mohammed al Bashir has assumed leadership in Syria as interim prime minister
Mohammed al Bashir has assumed leadership in Syria as interim prime minister following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Backed by rebel factions, Al Bashir’s government is tasked with managing the transitional period until March 1. This comes after Assad fled Damascus over the weekend, ending the Assad family’s 50-year grip on power.
Transitional government plans
Al Bashir held his first meeting with the outgoing cabinet on Tuesday, focusing on the transfer of responsibilities to the interim administration. He announced plans to evaluate each ministry’s future role in the coming days. Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes, parts of Syria, including reopened shops and banks, are cautiously returning to normalcy as citizens celebrate the regime’s downfall.
U.S. and Turkey respond
The Biden administration expressed conditional support for the new Syrian government, emphasizing the importance of renouncing terrorism, dismantling chemical weapons, and upholding minority and women’s rights. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the leadership change, describing it as a victory for the oppressed over their oppressors and calling it a “great transformation.”
Rebels advance in eastern Syria
Rebel forces have reportedly captured the strategic city of Deir al-Zur from Kurdish-Syrian forces. Rebel coalition spokesman Lt. Col. Hasan Abdelghani confirmed their full control of the city and surrounding areas, marking significant progress in their eastern campaign.
Fragile peace with Kurds
In a separate development, U.S.-mediated negotiations resulted in a ceasefire between Kurdish forces and rebels in northern Syria. This temporary truce signals a complex dynamic as the nation navigates its transitional period.
As celebrations and uncertainties unfold, the international community watches closely, awaiting the interim government’s next moves. With Mohammed al Bashir at the helm, Syria stands at a crossroads, seeking stability after decades of authoritarian rule.
