What to know about Syria’s new caretaker government
The challenges ahead are myriad as the government seeks to keep Syria running while preparing for transition.
Syria's caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir chairs a meeting of the new cabinet in Damascus on December 10, 2024
By Tips & Tricks News Guide
After overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and commander of the new administration, has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir to head a caretaker government until March 1.
Experts told News Guide that the decision seeks to stabilize the country by ensuring basic services for civilians and averting a power struggle among armed groups over control of state resources and ministries.
"A caretaker government is essential to maintain state functions and provide essential services like electricity, water, sewage, and internet access," said Thomas Pierret, a Syria expert at the Institute for Research and Study of the Arab and Muslim World.
However, experts caution that the caretaker government—and HTS—risk losing credibility if they fail to share power after three months.
Here’s what we know about the caretaker government and its leader:
Who is Mohammed al-Bashir?
The caretaker government is led by a technocrat who previously headed the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in Idlib, a province in northwest Syria.
Following the outbreak of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, Idlib emerged as a key opposition stronghold. By 2017, HTS had solidified its control over the region and established the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), composed of civilian technocrats.
“Mohammed al-Bashir has done a reasonably good job in Idlib,” said Robin Yassin-Kassab, a Syria expert and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War.
“I understand that it makes sense to scale [the Salvation Government] up to the whole of Syria, for now,” he added.
Analysts point to al-Bashir’s background in electrical engineering, project management, and administrative planning as evidence of his capability to sustain basic services in the country.
According to the caretaker government’s official website, al-Bashir emerged as a minister in the HTS-backed Salvation Government in 2021. For two years, he led development and humanitarian affairs, a role that, according to Assaad Al Achi, executive director of Baytna, reflected his interest in humanitarian work—partly because the SSG’s policy taxed aid organizations.
On January 13, 2024, the Shura Council in Idlib elected al-Bashir as prime minister of the SSG.
Al-Bashir informed News Guide Arabic that, for now, ministers from the SSG will assume responsibility for the national ministerial portfolios. The current lineup of ministers is as follows:
- Minister of Interior Mohammed Abdul Rahman
- Minister of Economy and Resources Basel Abdul Aziz
- Minister of Information Muhammad Yaqoub al-Omar
- Minister of Justice Shadi Muhammad al-Waisi
- Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mohamed Taha al-Ahmad
- Minister of Health Mazen Dukhan
- Minister of Development Fadi al-Qassem
- Minister of Local Administration and Services Mohamed Abdel Rahman Muslim
- Minister of Endowments Hussam Haj Hussein
- Minister of Education Nazir al-Qadri
- Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdel Moneim Abdel Hafez
Despite al-Bashir’s prominent position, Assaad Al Achi does not believe the caretaker prime minister harbors ambitions to consolidate power over Syria.
“My concern is if [this caretaker government] extends its term beyond three months. But if it’s limited to three months, that’s acceptable,” he said.
Experts, however, worry that HTS may attempt to impose authoritarian rule across Syria.
A report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleges that HTS has subjected critics and opponents to enforced disappearances and, in some cases, tortured individuals to death.
News Guide contacted the HTS media office for a response to these allegations, but they had not commented by the time of publication.
The caretaker government and HTS could alleviate fears of a power grab by presenting a roadmap that outlines when negotiations with other stakeholders will commence, paving the way for the formation of a broader coalition, Yassin-Kassab told News Guide.
He emphasized that the plan should align with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for an 18-month transitional period to establish an inclusive coalition, draft a new constitution, and prepare for elections under UN supervision.
“[HTS] needs to make it clear that this is the start of a process involving all sectors of society and political leaderships,” Yassin-Kassab said.
“Such a commitment would reassure Syrians and the international community, while also granting the new government greater legitimacy,” he added.
Syria's economy is in ruins, with the World Bank ranking its gross domestic product (GDP) 129th out of 196 countries.
During its rule in Idlib, HTS generated revenue by taxing residents as well as goods and humanitarian aid crossing through the Turkish border. However, it remains uncertain whether the group has sufficient funds to revive the economy and ensure basic provisions in the short to medium term.
Experts suggest that linking sanctions relief to political reforms could incentivize HTS to share power.
Syria remains on the United States' list of “countries that sponsor terrorism,” and HTS is designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the European Union, Turkiye, and the US. Additionally, EU and US sanctions target much of Syria’s economy, including its energy sector and trade in technology and electricity-related goods, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
For HTS to gain the trust of Syrians and the international community, it must demonstrate a willingness to share power with other stakeholders and civil society, argues Yassin-Kassab.
“It remains to be seen whether this marks the beginning of a power grab by HTS and HTS-aligned civilian bodies,” he told News Guide.
“I certainly hope it does not.”
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