Syria's new interim government appoints key HTS figures to top posts

With senior roles in the rebel group behind them, Asaad Al Shibani and Murhaf Abu Qasra are considered close allies of HTS leader Ahmad Al Shara

Ahmad Al Shara, centre, Syria's de facto leader and head of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, holds an interim government meeting in Damascus. Reuters

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Syria's interim government formed by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham has appointed two of its key figures to the crucial positions of foreign and defence minister, solidifying the influence of the rebel group in the country after the collapse of Bashar Al Assad's regime in a lightning offensive two weeks ago.

Asaad Al Shibani, 37, who previously led the political department of the rebels' Idlib government, was appointed Foreign Minister on Saturday, the state-run Sana news agency reported. Mr Al Shibani has been a member of the rebel opposition since 2011 and took part in creating the Syrian Salvation Government in 2017 alongside Syria's de facto leader, HTS chief Ahmad Al Shara, formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani.

Mr Al Shibani lived in Turkey until this year and is known for his crucial role as the head of HTS's Political Affairs Department, managing relations between the group and international agencies, and engaging with UN officials and diplomats on humanitarian efforts in north-western Syria during the civil war. He holds a master's degree in political science and international relations, gained in Turkey, and is pursuing an MBA. He also studied English literature at Damascus University.

HTS, an offshoot of Al Qaeda until it severed ties in 2016, had been confined to Idlib for years until launching its successful offensive late last month, sweeping through the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the army melted away.

Meanwhile, Murhaf Abu Qasra, a senior HTS commander known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, has been appointed Syrian Defence Minister. Mr Abu Qasra played a significant role in the military campaign that ousted Mr Al Assad this month.

Mr Al Shara discussed the restructuring of the military during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday. Photos published by Sana showed Mr Abu Qasra sitting next to Mr Al Shara as the leader spoke.

Syria's interim Prime Minister Mohammed Al Bashir this week announced the Defence Ministry would be rebuilt using former rebel factions and officers who had defected from the Syrian army.

The latest appointments come as HTS, designated a terrorist group by the US, the UK, the UN and the EU, seeks to position itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Assad regime.

Since HTS took control of Damascus, Mr Al Shara has been working to change perceptions of his group from an ideologically driven militant organisation to one that could be accepted by Syrians as a legitimate political force.

However, the group's past ideology, alleged human rights abuse and conflicts with rival opposition factions have raised concerns about its ability to govern Syria effectively.

Its sudden advance from the stronghold of Idlib province into Aleppo, Hama and Homs played a crucial role in the rapid downfall of Mr Al Assad's government but other rebel factions, Kurdish-led forces and Turkish-backed groups are also seeking to take advantage of the power vacuum.

External powers such as Iran, Russia, Turkey and the US, all deeply involved in Syria's recent history, are trying to adjust their strategies and protect their interests accordingly after the significant shift in power.