HTS commander named Syria defence minister


DAMASCUS:

Syria’s new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a number one determine within the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister within the interim authorities, an official supply stated on Saturday.

Abu Qasra, who can be recognized by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior determine within the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the marketing campaign that ousted Assad this month.

He led quite a few navy operations throughout Syria’s revolution, the supply stated. Syria’s de facto chief Ahmed al-Sharaa mentioned “the type of the navy establishment within the new Syria” throughout a gathering with armed factions on Saturday, state information company SANA reported.

Abu Qasra throughout the assembly sat subsequent to Sharaa, additionally recognized by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, images printed by SANA confirmed. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir stated this week that the defence ministry can be restructured utilizing former insurgent factions and officers who defected from Assad’s military.

Bashir, who previously led an HTS-affiliated administration within the northwestern province of Idlib, has stated he’ll lead a three-month transitional authorities. The brand new administration has not declared plans for what is going to occur after that.

Earlier on Saturday, the ruling Common Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as overseas minister, SANA stated. A supply within the new administration advised Reuters that this step “is available in response to the aspirations of the Syrian individuals to determine worldwide relations that deliver peace and stability”.

Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus College, beforehand led the political division of the rebels’ Idlib authorities, the Common Command stated.

Sharaa’s group was a part of al Qaeda till he broke ties in 2016.