Late on Saturday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa appointed a new government to lead the country through a transformative period following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad.
The new cabinet includes several prominent figures from the Syrian opposition movement that began in 2011.
Here’s a breakdown of key ministers, their backgrounds, and notable milestones in their careers:
Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, minister of foreign affairs and expatriates
Born in Hasakah in 1987, al-Shaibani grew up in Damascus and earned a BA in English Literature from Damascus University. He later obtained a master’s and PhD in political science from Istanbul’s Sabahattin Zaim University.
He has worked in humanitarian coordination with UN agencies in northwest Syria and was instrumental in establishing international contacts for the opposition.
He was appointed foreign minister in the interim government in December 2024 and confirmed in the new cabinet.
Murhaf Abu Qasra – minister of defence
A former commander in the armed opposition, Abu Qasra played a central role in the military campaign that brought down the Assad regime. Born in Hama province, he trained as an agricultural engineer before joining the rebellion.
He was named defence minister in the interim government in late 2024 and promoted to major general. His appointment was renewed on Saturday.
Anas Khattab – minister of interior
A founding member of the Al-Nusra Front militant group, Khattab later became a senior leader in Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), overseeing security and intelligence operations.
Originally from eastern Qalamoun, he fought US forces in Iraq before returning to Syria during the revolution. He was named head of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate in late 2024 and now assumes the ministry of interior.
Mohammed Anjarani – minister of local administration
An engineer from Aleppo, Anjarani was imprisoned early in the revolution for his activism. He helped establish service organisations and local governance structures in rebel-held areas and held previous cabinet positions in the Salvation Government.
His appointment as minister of local administration and environment was reconfirmed in the new national government.
Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri – minister of religious endowments (Awqaf)
Born in Damascus in 1961, Shukri is a seasoned Islamic scholar with degrees in Islamic preaching, law, and a PhD in jurisprudence. He has taught theology and law and preached in major mosques including the Umayyad Mosque.
A well-known figure in Islamic academic circles, he was named religious affairs minister on Saturday.
Mazhar al-Weis – minister of justice
A former detainee in Syria’s notorious Sednaya prison, al-Weis later served as a senior legal figure in HTS – appearing frequently in videos alongside other members of the militant group – and later held several positions within the justice ministry of the Salvation Government, including president of the Supreme Judicial Council.
He holds degrees in medicine and comparative Islamic law and was involved in early legal councils in opposition territories. He now heads the justice ministry in the post-Assad government.
Mohammed al-Bashir – minister of energy
A politician and engineer from Idlib, al-Bashir held multiple positions in the Salvation Government, including chair of the Council of Ministers.
He has degrees in electrical engineering and Islamic law and has worked on development projects across northern Syria. He was appointed energy minister in the new government.
Marwan al-Halabi – minister of higher education
A fertility specialist and researcher, al-Halabi studied in Damascus and France and led numerous medical societies. He has authored over 60 scientific papers and books, making him one of Syria’s most prominent medical academics. He is now leading the higher education ministry.
Hind Kabawat – minister of labour and social affairs
Born to a Christian Syrian family, Kabawat studied economics in Damascus and law in the US. A key opposition figure since 2011, she was a negotiator in Geneva and a member of the Syrian National Dialogue Committee.
An award-winning academic and peace advocate, Kabawat was appointed labour minister on Saturday.
Mohammed Saleh – minister of culture
A veteran journalist, Saleh worked with Al Jazeera from 2012, hosting programmes on media and culture. He holds degrees in linguistics and translation, and was named “Eloquent Arab” on Qatar TV’s ‘Fasaha’ cultural program. He now leads Syria’s cultural portfolio.
Nidal al-Shaar – minister of economy
An economist educated at Georgetown University, al-Shaar previously served as economy minister in 2011–2012. He has held key roles in international finance, including with the World Bank and Bahrain-based AAOIFI. A prolific author, he returns as economy ministry.
Hamza Mustafa – minister of information
A political scientist and former director of Syria TV – part of The New Arab‘s parent group Fadaat Media, Mustafa earned his PhD in the UK and has published widely on media, public opinion, and the Syrian uprising. He was ppointed minister of information in the new cabinet.
Yarub Badr – minister of transport
Previously transport minister from 2006–2011, Badr is a civil engineer with a PhD in transport studies from France. He worked with the UN and held academic and planning roles in Syria’s transport sector. He returns to the ministry under the new administration.
Other ministers in the new government:
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Minister of Finance: Mohammed Yasser Barniyeh
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Minister of Health: Musab Nazal al-Ali
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Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response: Raed al-Saleh
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Minister of Communications and IT: Abdul Salam Haykal
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Minister of Agriculture: Amjad Badr
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Minister of Education: Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko
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Minister of Public Works and Housing: Mustafa Abdulrazzaq
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Minister of Youth and Sports: Mohammed Sameh Hamad
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Minister of Tourism: Mazen al-Salhani
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Minister of Development: Mohammed Eskaf
