Ahmed al-Scharaa Named Transitional President Following Assad's Ouster in Syria

The former rebel leader and head of HTS is tasked with guiding the nation through a transitional period marked by sweeping structural changes.

Ahmed al-Scharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani and leader of the Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been appointed Syria's transitional president after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
The transitional government has dissolved the 2012 constitution, disbanded Assad's Baath Party, and begun restructuring the military and integrating rebel groups into state institutions.
A legislative council will be established to oversee the drafting of a new constitution, a process expected to take three years, followed by elections projected to occur a year later.
The HTS-led alliance has declared December 8, the day Damascus was taken with minimal resistance, a new national holiday, symbolizing the end of Assad's decades-long rule.
While many Syrians express hope for a fresh start, human rights groups and international observers remain cautious, emphasizing the need for progress on minority rights and governance reforms.