DAMASCUS, Syria. Mohammed al-Bashir, a relatively unknown political figure outside Idlib, has assumed the role of Syria’s interim prime minister following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Supported by the rebel groups that orchestrated a 12-day campaign to seize control of Damascus, al-Bashir pledged to act as caretaker leader until March 1, 2025.
In a televised address on Tuesday, al-Bashir stated, “Today we held a cabinet meeting that included a team from the Salvation Government that was working in Idlib and its vicinity, and the government of the ousted regime. The meeting was under the headline of transferring the files and institutions to caretake the government.”
Al-Bashir, who previously led the Salvation Government in rebel-held territories, appeared alongside two symbolic flags: the green, white, and black flag representing Assad’s opposition and a white flag with an Islamic inscription often associated with Sunni Islamist groups.
In Damascus, daily life showed signs of recovery as banks and shops reopened for the first time since the government’s collapse. Streets, once desolate, bustled with traffic, and sanitation workers were seen clearing debris.
Rebel forces, under orders from their leaders, began withdrawing from major urban centers, with internal security forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) taking over policing duties. HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, played a pivotal role in the anti-Assad movement and has been attempting to shift its image away from its jihadist origins.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for Syria’s political transition, emphasizing the need for an inclusive government. However, U.S. officials remained cautious about altering HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted, “We have seen over the years any number of militant groups who have seized power, who have promised that they would respect minorities… and then see them fail to meet those promises.”
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate American journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012, with HTS being urged to assist in his recovery.
The transition has not been without complications. Israeli airstrikes targeted key Syrian military facilities, aiming to prevent the proliferation of strategic weapons. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that Israel plans to establish a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria but denied advancing toward Damascus.
Turkey, Egypt, and Gulf states condemned Israel’s incursion, raising concerns about the interim government’s ability to manage international relations.
Rebuilding Syria presents a monumental challenge after 13 years of civil war that devastated the nation’s infrastructure, economy, and population. Millions remain displaced, and cities lie in ruins.
Despite the hardship, hope lingers among Syrians like Anas Idrees, a refugee who returned from Lebanon to witness Assad’s downfall. Celebrating at Damascus’ iconic Bakdash ice cream parlor, Idrees remarked, “I swear to God, it tastes different now. It was good before, but it’s changed because now we are happy inside.”
As the interim government begins its work, the world watches to see whether promises of inclusivity and stability can transform Syria into a unified nation once again.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
