Syrian opposition fighters have appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as the caretaker prime minister of a transitional government, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Bashir, who previously led the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in rebel-held Idlib province, will serve in the role until March 2025.
In a televised statement, he confirmed that a cabinet meeting had been held to transfer government responsibilities from the ousted regime to the new caretaker administration.
Al-Bashir’s leadership comes after a rapid offensive by opposition forces that resulted in the fall of Damascus, ending over 50 years of Assad family rule.
His ties to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that spearheaded the regime’s downfall, are well-established, as he headed the SSG, which governed Idlib since 2017.
The SSG, which provides essential services in rebel-controlled areas, is now expanding its operations to Aleppo, the first major city to be captured during the recent offensive.
In the meantime, Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israeli forces targeted Syrian naval vessels in overnight airstrikes, part of a broader strategy to destroy Syrian military capabilities that pose a threat to Israel.
The Israeli military has conducted over 300 airstrikes in Syria since the fall of Assad’s regime, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Israel’s actions have sparked criticism from multiple countries.
Qatar condemned Israel’s violations of Syria’s sovereignty, while Turkey accused Israel of displaying an “occupying mentality.”
Palestinian militant group Hamas also condemned the strikes, calling them “barbaric” and urging the international community to hold Israel accountable.
Hamas accused Israel of imposing its actions on the entire region through these strikes.
