The prime minister of the new transitional government, which took office after the overthrow of long-time Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has called on citizens who have sought refuge abroad to return home. Mohamed al-Bashir, who was appointed by rebel groups as head of a transitional government to run the country until March, told Italy’s Corriere della Sera daily that his first goal is to “bring back the millions of Syrian refugees abroad.”
Stating that the human capital and experience of citizens abroad will help the country prosper economically, he said his first task is to repatriate Syrian citizens abroad. “I have an appeal to all Syrians abroad: Syria is now an independent country that has earned its pride and dignity. Come back, we must rebuild, we must be reborn, and we need everyone’s help,” he said.
Assad fled Syria after an Islamist-led opposition coalition ended five decades of brutal rule in the Syrian capital, Damascus. “The nearly 14-year-long civil war in Syria has left half a million people dead and half the population displaced in one way or another.” With Assad’s departure, the country is now facing great uncertainty.
Concerns have been raised about sectarian violence, although the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is leading the rebel offensive, has tried to reassure religious minorities that they will be safe in the new Syria. The country’s diverse communities, including Christians, Kurds, and Alawites, are now waiting to see what kind of government Bashir will lead.
Syria’s Christian community has supported the Assad government since the start of the civil war in 2011. The outgoing president, Assad, himself belonged to the minority Alawite sect and had positioned himself as a protector of minorities.
The new Prime Minister of Syria is Mohammed al-Bashir. He was appointed in December 2024 following significant political changes in the country, with a transitional government taking over after the ouster of the Assad regime. This marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s history as the government shifts its approach toward rebuilding and potentially adopting a free-market economy.
The role of rebels, particularly groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been central in shaping Syria’s transition. They played a major role in the downfall of the Assad government and are now engaged in forming the new political and administrative structures. Their involvement remains controversial due to their past affiliations and the challenges of gaining international legitimacy. Nevertheless, they emphasize establishing governance based on principles of law, equality, and democracy, aiming to rebuild the war-torn country.
