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Syrian transitional government
Interim government in Syria established in 2025 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Syrian transitional government (Arabic: الحكومة الانتقالية السورية, romanized: al-Ḥukūmah al-Intiqāliyyah as-Sūriyyah) is the current provisional government of Syria, formed on 29 March 2025 under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. It succeeded the Syrian caretaker government headed by Mohammed al-Bashir.
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The government was announced by president of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, where the new ministers were sworn in and delivered speeches outlining their agendas. Two new ministries were formed: the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management. The position of Prime Minister was abolished. The Ministry of Energy was formed from the mergers of the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources[1][2][3] while the Ministry of Economy and Industry was formed from the mergers of the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and the Ministry of Industry.[3]
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Background
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The 2024 Syrian opposition offensives, codenamed "Deterrence of Aggression," were led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and supported by allied Turkish-backed groups in the Syrian National Army. These offensives resulted in the rapid fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship, ending five decades of Assad family rule that began when Hafez al-Assad assumed power in 1970 under the Ba'ath Party following a coup d'état.[4]
After the fall of the Assad regime, Bashar al-Assad's ninth prime minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, remained in his post in a caretaker capacity with the support of the opposition and Ahmed al-Sharaa until the formation of the caretaker government, which was led by Mohammed al-Bashir.[5][6] On 12 February 2025, two major organizations of the former Syrian opposition, the Syrian National Coalition and the Syrian Negotiation Commission, announced their allegiance to the caretaker government.[7] On 11 March 2025, al-Sharaa signed an agreement with Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to incorporate SDF-controlled institutions into the state, establish border crossings, and pledge to fight the remnants of the Assad regime.[8] The deadline for the merger has been set for the end of 2025.[9]
The government implemented the 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria, a provisional constitution ratified by al-Sharaa on 13 March 2025, establishing the basic law of Syria for a five-year transition period from 2025 to 2030.[10] The Interim Constitution sets a presidential system with the executive power at the hands of the president who appoints the ministers,[11] without the position of prime minister.[12]
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Formation
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The government was announced by Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Damascus,[13] in which the new ministers were sworn in and delivered speeches outlining their agendas.[14] Two new ministries were formed: the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.[15] The post of prime minister was abolished.[16]
Four of the new ministers belonged to minority groups: Yaarub Bader, an Alawite; Amjad Badr, a Druze; Hind Kabawat, a Christian; and Mohammed Abdul Rahman Turko, a Kurd.[16] The government also included figures from different groups of the former Syrian opposition: during the civil war, Mohammed Abu al-Khair Shukri was a member of the Syrian National Coalition, Raed al-Saleh was director of the White Helmets and Hind Kabawat served as deputy head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission in Geneva.[17] The new government was described by some observers as a technocratic with "ministers chosen according to their competences" according to president Al-Sharaa.[18]
Possible reforms
Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that the new government will reform the energy sector for sustainability and reliable electricity, support farmers to ensure food production, revive the industry, protect national products, attract investment, stabilize the economy, strengthen the Syrian pound, and prevent financial manipulation.[13]
On 16 April, Syria's minister of the interior, Anas Khattab, announced that government forces had successfully thwarted an attempted coup by officers loyal to the old regime and that the government would create mechanisms to identify those responsible.[19][20][21] The announcement came as part of an increased network of collaboration between the new various security apparatus, from police to military to intelligence.[22] According to Khattab, security forces had been tipped off to the plot, and were able to launch an operation to disrupt it before it could be executed, although exact details of who specifically was involved are scarce.[19]
Foreign affairs
On 10 April 2025, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul visited Damascus and met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. During the meeting, both sides signed a formal agreement to establish diplomatic relations, which included plans to open embassies and exchange diplomatic missions.[23][24] This agreement made South Korea the last major country—excluding North Korea—to formalize diplomatic relations with Syria.[25]
On 7 May 2025, Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Emmanuel Macron in France. It was his first official visit to a Western country since becoming president.[26][27] On 14 May, he met with U.S. president Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, marking the first meeting between American and Syrian heads of state since Bill Clinton and Hafez al-Assad convened in Geneva in 2000.[28] Since then, a number of Western governments have lifted the sanctions on Syria, most notably the United States and the United Kingdom.[29][30]
On 15 May, al-Shaibani held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Antalya, Turkey.[31] The meeting took place two days after Trump announced his decision to lift sanctions on Syria and initiate the normalization of bilateral relations.[32]
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Domestic
The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has since said it will not adhere to the decisions of the newly-formed government, alleging that its composition allowed a single faction to maintain control and did not represent the diversity of Syria.[33]
Sheikh Hammoud al-Hinnawi, a prominent Druze community leader, welcomed the formation of the new Syrian government, commending the conciseness and conduct of the ministers' speeches.[34]
International
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the establishment of the new government and affirmed its aim to cooperate and work with the transitional government "in a manner that embodies the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries and strengthens relations in all fields".[35]
Jordan: Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the announcement of the new Syrian government, and Ministry Spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said that Jordan intends to deepen cooperation with the new government.[36]
Turkey: The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the formation of the new Syrian government, saying that this "stresses the Syrian administration's commitment to achieving a comprehensive Syrian-led political transition process". The ministry also said that Turkey intends to continue to support the Syrian political process and also called for lifting sanctions unconditionally.[37]
Qatar: Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement made by the Syrian president of the formation of the new government, adding that Qatar intends to strengthen relations between the two countries and emphasizing Qatar's support for the new government to "achieve the aspirations of the fraternal Syrian people for stability, development, and prosperity".[38]
Kuwait: Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Kuwait's welcome of the formation of the new Syrian government, wishing "success in meeting Syrians' aspirations in security, safety, and prosperity".[39]
United Arab Emirates: The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the formation of the new Syrian government.[40] Additionally, UAE officials such as president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, prime minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and vice president Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed congratulated the Syrian president on the formation of a new government.[41]
Germany: German Special Envoy to Syria Stefan Schnecke announced that Germany welcomes the announcement of a new government in Syria.[42] German Foreign Office spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer later said in a press conference that the formation of the new government was a step in the right direction for future, inclusive political reform.[43]
United Kingdom: British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan) Hamish Falconer announced that the UK welcomes the formation of the new Syrian government.[44]
France: France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said that France welcomes the formation of a new government in Syria, stating France's support for a "peaceful and inclusive political transition which guarantees the protection of Syria's pluralism and the rights of all Syrians".[45]
Norway: Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide said that Norway welcomes the formation of a new Syrian government, stressing that "inclusive governance is essential for Syria's future, development, and prosperity".[46]
Palestine: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated the Syrian president on the announcement of the formation of a new Syrian government.[47]
Poland: The Polish Embassy in Syria said that Poland welcomed the formation of the new government.[48]
Spain: Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the new Syrian government, seeing it as "a step forward toward a peaceful Syria that guarantees unity and territorial integrity of the country".[49]
Italy: The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the formation of the new Syrian government, adding that Italy is ready to contribute towards reconstruction and support an inclusive political process.[50]
United States: U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce considered the formation of the new Syrian government a positive step but stated that sanctions would not be eased until progress was made on key priorities, including counterterrorism.[51]
Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, during a phone call with Syrian president al-Sharaa to discuss recent developments in the region, congratulated the Syrian people on the formation of the new government and reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to respecting Syrian political developments.[52]
Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomed the formation of the new transitional Syrian government, interpreting this as "another important stage on the way to building a peaceful and democratic country". The Ministry also expressed Ukraine's support for Syrian territorial integrity and sovereignty.[53]
Malaysia: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a phone call to Syrian President al-Sharaa to congratulate him on the formation of the new Syrian government, adding that Malaysia plans on enhancing bilateral (particularly economic) ties with Syria, and expressed his wishes for "further prosperity, stability, and prosperity for the Syrian people".[54]
South Korea: Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and extended his congratulations on the successful launch of the new government formed through inclusive representation following the end of the Assad regime.[55]
- International Governmental Organizations
European Union: High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib issued a joint statement welcoming the formation of the new Syrian transitional government, stating the EU's readiness to support a Syrian-led political process, engage with the new government, and respect for Syrian territorial unity, sovereignty, and integrity.[56]
Organization of Islamic Cooperation: The OIC's Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha congratulated the Syrian government and people on the formation of the new Syrian government.[57]
United Nations: UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen "encourages the ongoing efforts of Syrian authorities toward a credible, inclusive, and sustainable transition in terms of governance, and also in terms of the next transitional steps".[58]- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons: Director-General Fernando Arias sent a congratulatory message to Syrian president al-Sharaa on the formation of the new Syrian government.[59]
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