Syria under new leadership: chaos or hope? The first steps of the transitional government!

Syria under new leadership: chaos or hope? The first steps of the transitional government!

The seizure of power by Ahmad al-Sharaa in Syria sparked violent clashes between the new rulers and loyal supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad. On Thursday, the new government in Damascus launched a brutal crackdown on Alawite forces linked to Assad. According to the British Observatory for Human Rights, around a thousand people, mostly civilians, have died in just two days. These brutal acts of violence represent the worst in years, with women and children from the Alawite minority among the victims. Government officials acknowledge shortcomings in the implementation of the measures, but blame disorganized civilians who committed crimes during the fighting, [Kleine Zeitung] reports.

New leadership style and personnel decisions

Al-Sharaa has made initial personnel decisions in recent days to reorganize the power structure after the fall of the Assad dynasty. In a key role, Mohammed al-Bashir has been named the new prime minister, while Murhaf Abu Kasra will serve as defense minister. These decisions are crucial to the integration efforts of the rival militia groups operating in Syria. Particularly notable is the appointment of Maysaa Sabrine as director of the central bank, considered the first woman to hold this role in Syrian history. These steps were interpreted by political scientist Bente Scheller as a sign of a possible new approach, as the new leaders face the challenge of stabilizing the country after years of conflict, as [ZDF] reported.

Al-Sharaa's political ambitions are profound. A new constitution is to be drawn up over the next four years before regular elections can take place. While the first diplomatic contacts are being formed at the international level, the new leadership is under pressure. Without an easing of Western sanctions, the reconstruction of Syria will be difficult to implement. However, the latest violent scenarios cast a shadow on the possibility of peaceful understanding and the formation of a stable government in the country. Al-Sharaa is now also meeting with various religious leaders, including Christian clerics, to address minority concerns, suggesting a strategic attempt to reach a broad spectrum of support, as reported by [ZDF] and [Kleine Zeitung] show.