Syria appoints interim PM after Assad’s ouster

Mohammed al-Bashir has been named as the interim Prime Minister of a transitional government in Syria until March 1, 2025. The announcement follows the overthrow of long-time President Bashar al-Assad two days prior, led by the Sunni militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Al-Bashir previously governed a rebel-controlled area and leads the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), based in Idlib province, supported by HTS. Educated as an electrical engineer with a degree in Sharia law, al-Bashir succeeds Mohammad Ghaza al-Jalali as Prime Minister. HTS plans for after the temporary term are uncertain. The regime was toppled after a less than two-week offensive by the rebels, capturing major cities before reaching Damascus. It is unclear how Syria will be governed moving forward and whether HTS will rule alone. Assad is rumored to have fled to Russia with his family where President Putin has offered asylum.