Syrian Interim President Announces New Transitional Government

Latest Developments

• President Announces Cabinet: Syrian transitional government leader Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a new government cabinet on March 29, filling 22 ministerial positions over the weekend. The new cabinet includes one woman, Hind Kabawat, as minister of social affairs; one member of the Druze minority, Amgad Badr, as minister of agriculture; one Kurd, Mohammad Abdulrahman Tarko, as minister of education; and one Alawite, Yarub Badr, as minister of transportation.
• Most Prominent Roles Held by Al-Sharaa’s Men: The most powerful positions in al-Sharaa’s new cabinet remain occupied by loyalists to the interim president. Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shilbani retained their positions, which they have held since the toppling of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Al-Sharaa, who led the U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in its successful overthrow of the Assad regime, assumed the interim presidency in Syria until elections can be held, which could take up to five years.
• Syrian Groups Oppose New Cabinet: The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) voiced its opposition to al-Sharaa’s new cabinet on March 3, citing a lack of diversity. Representing a region with Kurdish, Arab, and minority populations in Syria, the AANES stated that its views were shared by the residents of the Druze-majority city of Suwayda in southern Syria. Protestors in Suwayda reportedly took to the streets over the weekend, calling for a more decentralized political system that ensures equitable representation for Kurds, Arabs, Alawites, Druze, and Christians.

FDD Expert Response

“This cabinet is a facade for one-man rule. The power ministries — defense, interior, justice, and foreign affairs — remain firmly under al-Sharaa’s control. The new army remains stacked with Islamist commanders loyal to al-Sharaa. And the constitution even lets al-Sharaa appoint lawmakers and Supreme Court justices. This authoritarian approach might ensure stability for a time, but it risks a return to conflict.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“The new transitional government includes representatives from Syria’s minorities — Kurds, Druze, and Christians — as well as some independent ministers. However, their actual influence remains uncertain while al-Sharaa consolidates power and retains control over key ministries. Meanwhile, some Druze factions and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, currently integrating into the new state, have rejected the new government, which will only complicate Syria’s path to stability and unity.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst