Syria's power shift: Shara leads as constitution suspended
The new authorities in Syria announced on Wednesday evening the appointment of Ahmed al-Shara as the interim president, effectively making him the ruling leader of the country, according to the state news agency Sana. They also declared the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the parliament and all armed groups operating in Syria.
Shara is the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which on December 8, 2024, captured Damascus, overthrowing the 24-year regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Since then, Shara has been the de facto leader of Syria.
Revolution in Syria
As a result of a swift 11-day offensive, a coalition of rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad, who fled with his family to Russia. Mohamed al-Bashir was appointed as the prime minister of the interim government.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on reports that the new Syrian government had requested Moscow to extradite Bashar al-Assad in exchange for retaining Russian military bases in the country. "I will leave it without comment. We will continue our dialogue with the Syrian authorities," Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.
Russia has supported Assad for years in its fight against Syrian rebels, deploying its air force and special forces. Assad's loss of power threatened Russian bases in Tartus and Hmeimim, which are strategically significant for the Kremlin. Russia openly desires to maintain these facilities.
Source: PAP, Politico, WP News
