On December 21, 2024, the interim government of Syria appointed Assaad Hassan al Shaibani as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs. His primary objective will be to restore broken ties with Western nations and seek the lifting of sanctions to facilitate Syria's reconstruction.
The announcement was made by the political office of the new Syrian administration, which shared a brief message alongside an official photograph of al Shaibani. The interim government noted that he joined the Syrian revolution in 2011 and was involved in founding the Salvation Government.
This appointment follows the recent establishment of the interim government, which took shape after the fall of former President Bashar al Assad on December 8, 2024, due to an insurgent coalition led by the Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS). Al Shaibani has been viewed as the de facto foreign minister for HTS for several years.
In a related development, Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus after 13 years of closure due to the civil war. The reopening marks Qatar as the second country, after Turkey, to officially resume diplomatic relations in Syria since the Islamist-led coalition took control of the capital.
The interim Syrian government also announced ongoing efforts to enhance security and police presence across the country. Interior Minister Mohamed Abdulrahman stated that they are working intensively to ensure safety and stability in all provinces, aiming to protect citizens and public facilities.
Meanwhile, clashes continue in northern Syria with Kurdish forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an armed alliance predominantly composed of Kurdish fighters, reported that they have killed 35 Syrian rebels backed by Turkey during nearly two weeks of fighting near the strategic Tishrin Dam in Aleppo province.
Additionally, a Turkish drone strike targeted a vehicle at a checkpoint near the village of Tel Brak in Al Hasaka province, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a cleric. This attack represents a continuation of military actions against Kurdish-controlled areas.