Mohammad al-Bashir, a prominent figure in the administration led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been named Syria’s new Prime minister, according to reports on Monday.
Al-Bashir previously headed the ‘Salvation’ Government, an HTS-affiliated authority that governed parts of northwestern Syria, including Idlib. Reports suggest he recently met with HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and Mohammad al-Jalali, the former prime minister under Bashar al-Assad's now-toppled regime.
In a swift and unexpected offensive, HTS and Turkey-backed rebel forces operating under the Military Operations Division seized Damascus in the early hours of Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in Syria’s political landscape.
Now tasked with leading the transitional government, Al-Bashir faces the dual challenge of stabilizing Syria’s volatile political environment and overseeing the reconstruction of areas devastated by years of conflict.
Who is Mohammad al-Bashir?
Born in the Jabal Zawiya region of Idlib in 1986, Mohammad al-Bashir is a Syrian engineer and politician who has held various leadership roles. He became the fifth prime minister of the HTS-led Salvation Government in January 2024.
Al-Bashir’s educational background is extensive. He earned a degree in electrical and electronic engineering with a specialization in communications from the University of Aleppo in 2007. In 2010, he completed an advanced English language course under Syria’s Ministry of Education. In 2021, he graduated with honors in Sharia and law from the University of Idlib and obtained certifications in administrative planning and project management from the Syrian International Academy for Training, Languages, and Consulting.
Professionally, Al-Bashir worked as an engineer overseeing a gas plant project for the Syrian Gas Company. However, following the Syrian uprising, he left government service in 2021 to join the revolutionary movement.
Developments Under Al-Bashir
Between 2022 and 2023, Al-Bashir served as Minister of Development and Humanitarian affairs under Ali Keda, his predecessor as Prime Minister. After being elected prime minister by the Shura Council in January 2024, he prioritized modernizing government services through e-governance and automation.
His tenure saw reductions in real estate fees, relaxed planning regulations, and consultations for expanding Idlib’s zoning plan. During the November 2024 Northwestern Syria offensive, Al-Bashir announced that the operation, which led to the capture of Aleppo, was a direct response to regime attacks that displaced tens of thousands of civilians.
On December 4, Bashir visited Aleppo to oversee the reopening of government offices, praising employees who resumed their roles under the new administration.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Bashir was officially tasked on Monday with forming a transitional government to navigate Syria through this critical phase.
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