Abu Qasra's Insurgency Leader Becomes Syrian Defense Minister

JAKARTA - The new Syrian ruler appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, the main figure of the uprising that ousted Bashar al-Assad, as defense minister in the interim government.

Abu Qasra, also known as the pseudonym Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) who led the military operation to overthrow Assad this month.

"He led a number of military operations during the Syrian revolution," the source said.

Syrian de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed the form of a new military institution in Syria in a meeting with armed factions on Saturday.

Abu Qasra during the meeting sat next to Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said this week the defense ministry would be restructured by placing former rebel factions and officers who defected from the Assad army.

Bashir, who previously led a government affiliated with HTS in Idlib province, said he would lead a three-month transitional government. The new government has yet to announce plans for what will happen after that.

Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command appointed Asaad Hassan al-Shibini as foreign minister.

Sources in the new government told Reuters this step was taken to respond to the aspirations of the Syrian people to build international relations that bring peace and stability.

Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led the political department of rebel government in Idlib.