Ahmed al-Sharaa Appointed Interim President of Syria, 18 Groups Participate in Historic Conference

Syria’s Military Operations Department has announced the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as the country’s interim president during the transitional period, following the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad less than two months ago. This decision was made during the “Victory Conference” held on Wednesday evening in Damascus.

The conference, which marked a pivotal moment in Syria’s political shift, was attended by members of armed groups from the Military Operations Department. Notably, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), composed primarily of Kurdish forces, did not participate. However, 18 other factions were present, including prominent groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Izza, Jaysh al-Sham, Ansar al-Tawhid, and many others.

This conference was significant for the agreement reached among these factions, which marked a historic moment in Syria’s ongoing conflict. Unlike past years, when these groups often found themselves in opposition or even in direct combat with one another, they now united in support of the transitional government.

Key Groups and Their Roles:

• Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): This group has been one of the most powerful military factions in Syria, originally founded as al-Nusra Front in 2012. After multiple shifts, including pledging allegiance to al-Qaeda and later severing ties with ISIS, it rebranded as HTS. HTS played a key role in toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime during the 2024 opposition offensives. Their elite force, known as the “Red Bands,” was instrumental in recent military victories.
• Jaysh al-Izza: A faction of the Free Syrian Army, this group participated in efforts to overthrow Assad’s government, especially in the northern regions of Syria, including the Hama countryside. The group is led by Major Jamil al-Saleh.
• Jaysh al-Islam: Once one of the most powerful factions in Syria, Jaysh al-Islam was mainly active in the Eastern Ghouta region. Following the military pressures of the war, the group was forced to relocate to northern Syria.
• Ahrar al-Sham: One of the earliest factions to form at the beginning of the Syrian conflict, Ahrar al-Sham was heavily involved in fighting across the north. The group suffered a significant blow in 2014 when an airstrike targeted its underground headquarters, killing at least 40 of its members.
• Ansar al-Tawhid: Emerging from the remnants of Jund al-Aqsa, Ansar al-Tawhid was initially formed after its predecessor was eliminated by both Syrian opposition forces and HTS.
• Faylaq al-Sham: Also known as the “Hamza Brigade,” Faylaq al-Sham is a coalition of opposition groups formed to strengthen moderate Islamists within Syria’s opposition forces.
• Nur al-Din Zangi Movement: A revolutionary movement that participated in Syria’s war between 2014 and 2015, it was part of the Revolutionary Command Council.

Transitional Period Announced:

Following the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, under the leadership of HTS and other armed factions, the Military Operations Department appointed Ahmed al-Sharaa as interim president. The department entrusted him with the dissolution of the parliament and the creation of an interim legislative council during the transitional phase.

Additionally, al-Sharaa’s administration is tasked with drafting a new constitution for Syria, following the suspension of the 2012 constitution. The military operation’s decision includes the dissolution of Syria’s existing military and security services, aiming to rebuild the country’s armed forces with a new ideological approach.

This announcement marks a significant chapter in Syria’s ongoing efforts to transition from decades of Assad’s rule to a new governance structure. The involvement of 18 factions in this process signals a rare moment of unity among previously fragmented groups, setting the stage for Syria’s potential reconstruction and future stability.