Biographies of the ministers appointed in the new Syrian government

Asaad al-Shaibani

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

• Born in 1987
• Graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of English Language and Literature, Damascus University.
• Holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from “Sabahattin Zaim” University in Turkey.
• Currently a Ph.D. researcher in International Relations.
• Completing the final phase of a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Witnessed the Syrian revolution from its outbreak and participated in founding the Syrian Salvation Government in 2017.
• Established the Department of Political Affairs within the Syrian Salvation Government.
• Appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Syrian Interim Government.
• Reestablished Syria’s representation internationally at global forums and Arab and international conferences.

Murhaf Ahmad Abu Qasra

Minister of Defense

• Born in 1984.
• Graduated from Damascus University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering.
• Currently pursuing a master’s degree at Idlib University.
• Joined the army and armed forces, completing compulsory military service before the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, holding the rank of First Lieutenant, specializing in field artillery.
• Became actively involved in the Syrian revolution from its early stages and served as a military commander in Hama.
• Led the military wing for five years, during which he focused on enhancing his military and tactical capabilities and establishing the “Shahin” brigades.
• Appointed as Minister of Defense in the Syrian Interim Government.
• Dedicated to advancing military industries and the systems of reconnaissance, night combat, and drones. Additionally, served as a member of the military council in the “Al-Fateh Al-Mubin” operations room and as a military commander in the “Deterrence of Aggression” operations.

 Anas Khattab

Minister of Interior

• Born in 1987.
• Studied at the Faculty of Architectural Engineering.
• Joined the Syrian revolution from its onset in 2011.
• Worked in the administrative field within the ranks of the Syrian revolution until 2016.
• Then, he moved to work in the security field until 2024.
• Founded the General Security Service within the Syrian Salvation Government.
• Appointed as the Head of General Intelligence Service in the Syrian Interim Government.

Mazhar Abdul Rahman al-Wais

Minister of Justice

• Born in 1980.
• Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Damascus University.
• Studied in the Department of Islamic Sharia Law, completed a preliminary master’s degree, and is currently preparing for his master’s thesis.
• Imprisoned for six years by the deposed regime due to his supportive stance toward the Syrian people.
• Joined the Syrian revolution after his release from prison.
• Worked in revolutionary judicial bodies and was a founding member since 2013.
• Contributed to the establishment of the Ministry of Justice in northern Syria.
• Member of the Supreme Judicial Council since 2017 until the liberation of Damascus.

Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri

Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments)

• Born in 1961.
• Holds a degree in Law from Damascus University.
• Obtained a degree in Islamic Sharia from the Faculty of Islamic Daawa.
• Earned a Master’s degree from the Minhaj-ul-Quran University in Lahore, Pakistan.
• Completed a Ph.D. in Sharia and Law from the University Institute for Daawa in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Served as the Imam and Preacher of Imam al-Shafi’i Mosque in al-Mezzeh neighborhood of Damascus and as Director of the Qur’an Institute there.
• Certified in memorization and recitation of the holy Qur’an.
• Authored numerous legal and religious publications.

Marwan al-Halabi

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

• Born in 1964.
• Holds a postgraduate degree (CMSc) in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Surgery from Damascus University.
• Earned dual postgraduate diplomas (PGDip) in Applied Biology of Reproduction from France-Comté University and Laparoscopic Surgery from Claude Bernard University.
• Obtained advanced specialization certificates (AFSA) in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Surgery, and Reproductive Medicine from France.
• Professor of Reproductive Medicine, Embryology, and Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University.
• Head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, and Genetics at Damascus University (2014–2017).
• Editor-in-Chief of the Damascus University Journal for Medical Sciences.
• President of the Syrian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2015–2024).
• President of the Middle East Fertility Society (MEFS) (2015–2018).
• Member of international, European, and American societies for infertility and reproductive health.

Hind Kabawat

 Minister of Social Affairs

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Law from Damascus University.
• Earned a certificate in Dispute Resolution and Arbitration from the University of Toronto, Canada.
• Completed a Master’s degree in Law and Diplomacy from Fletcher University in the United States.
• Professor at George Mason University in the United States.
• Former visiting member of the Negotiation Program at Harvard Law School.
• Contributed to numerous active institutions and civil organizations in Syria and abroad.

Mohammad al-Bashir

Minister of Energy

• Born in 1983.
• Holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Aleppo University (2007).
• Completed a Master’s degree in Sharia and Law at Idlib University (2024).
• Worked as supervising Engineer at the Syrian Gas Company and later served as Head of the Precision Instruments Department at the Gas Plant (2011).
• Participated in the Syrian revolution from its onset in 2011.
• Obtained a certificate in Project Management from the International Academy for Training, Languages, and Consulting (2021).
• Received a certificate in Principles of Planning and Administrative Organization (2021).
• Director of Associations Affairs in the Ministry of Development and Humanitarian Affairs.
• Minister of Development and Humanitarian Affairs in the Syrian Salvation Government (fifth and sixth terms).
• Prime Minister in the Syrian Salvation Government (seventh term).
• Appointed as a prime minister in the Syrian Interim Government following the downfall of the Assad regime.

Mohammad Yusr Barniyeh

Minister of Finance

• Born in 1967.
• Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University in 1990.
• Pursued graduate studies in Economics at Kansas State University (Wichita) and Oklahoma State University in the United States between 1990 and 1994.
• Trained at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York in 1996.
• Joined the Arab Monetary Fund as an economist in 1996.
• Between 2004 and 2007, contributed to establishing the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets and Securities and the Damascus Securities Exchange.
• Held various positions at the Arab Monetary Fund from 2009 to 2024, including serving as Director of the Economic Policies Department.
• Assumed responsibilities as Secretary General of the Board of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Secretary General of the Arab Finance Ministers’ Council.
• Participated in several international committees that worked to establish global standards.

Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar

Minister of Economy and Industry

• Held the position of Minister of Economy and Trade and served as Chairman of the Supreme Investment Council.
• Served as Secretary General of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).
• Worked as Head of Market Performance Analysis at Fannie Mae and previously held the position of Vice President at Johnson & Higgins in Washington.
• Taught courses on macroeconomics, global economics, money and banking, and government methods for several years at George Washington University.
• Awarded the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Banking Excellence in 2006.

Musab al-Ali

 Minister of Health

• Born in 1985.
• Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Homs University.
• Specialized in neurosurgery as a postgraduate student at Aleppo University in 2009.
• Worked in neurosurgery at several hospitals in Germany.
• Holds the German “Facharzt” certification in brain, spinal cord, and nerve surgery.
• Currently serves as a consultant neurosurgeon.
• Participated in numerous medical meetings, gatherings, and conferences both in Germany and internationally.

Mohammad Anjarani

Minister of Local Administration and Environment

• Born in 1992.
• Holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Participated in the Syrian revolution from its early days and was arrested by the ousted regime in late 2011.
• Contributed to the establishment of the Ministry of Awqaf within the Syrian Salvation Government and served as its Secretary General.
• Served as the General Administrator for the Aleppo region.
• Held the position of President of the Central Commission for Inspection and Control.
• Served as Minister of Local Administration in the Syrian Salvation Government for the last two terms.
• Appointed as Minister of Local Administration and Environment in the Syrian Interim Government.
• Worked on establishing and managing several humanitarian and developmental organizations in Aleppo and Idlib.

Raed al-Saleh

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management

• Born in 1984.
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
• Received advanced training programs in search and rescue and disaster management.
• Played a key role in the founding of the Syrian Civil Defense and later became the head of the organization.
• Represented the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) at prestigious international forums, including two UN Security Council meetings (2015 and 2024), UN General Assembly meetings (2016 and 2017), and other global gatherings.
• Recipient of numerous local and international awards, including being recognized among the 100 most influential figures of 2017 by Time
• Awarded the “Interaction” leadership and courage prize by the International Alliance for Humanitarian Organizations.
• Under his leadership, the Syrian Civil Defense received more than 40 honors and international awards.
• Led the Civil Defense’s response to the devastating February 2023 earthquake, demonstrating exceptional crisis management capabilities.

Abdul Salam Haykal

Minister of Communications and Information Technology

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the American University of Beirut.
• Obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
• A Syrian entrepreneur and investor in the technology and internet sectors, residing in the United Arab Emirates since 2012.
• Contributed to the founding of companies in the fields of software, artificial intelligence, and mobile applications.
• Co-founded the National Technology Transfer Company (TransTech), one of the first companies in the Middle East.
• Founded Majarra, a publishing company behind platforms such as Harvard Business Review Arabic, MIT Technology Review Arabic, Popular Science Arabia, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Amjad Badr

Minister of Agriculture

• Born in 1969.
• Graduated from the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Department of Agricultural Economics, Damascus University, in 1993.
• Obtained Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Aleppo University and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
• Worked at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, at Sweida Research Center, and contributed to numerous economic and social studies in the agricultural field, as well as several international and regional projects.

Mohammad Abdulrahman Turko

 Minister of Education

• Born in 1979.
• Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Damascus University in 2001.
• Holds a Ph.D. from Leipzig University in Germany.
• Authored several works in the fields of child rights, citizenship, child protection, and educational curricula.
• Fluent in Kurdish and German, and proficient in English.
• Taught at the faculties of Education and Arts, the Syrian Virtual University, Open Learning at Damascus University, al-Sham University, and the Faculty of Law at the Arab International University (AIU).
• He has participated in several committees and conferences, including two workshops in Germany (Climate Change and E-Learning) in 2019.

Mustafa Abdulrazzaq

 Minister of Public Works and Housing

• Born in 1989.
• Earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Aleppo University in 2011.
• Holds a specialized diploma in Public Administration, Project Management, and Institutional Development.
• Served as Director General of the General Directorate of Public Works and Roads in the Syrian Salvation Government (2024–2025).
• Worked in the Engineering Projects Department at Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing (2017–2019).
• Supervised the implementation of dozens of projects in northwestern Syria.
• Held the position of Head of the Studies and Engineering Supervision Department.
• Served as Director General of Project Management in northwestern Syria.

Mohammad Yasin Saleh

 Minister of Culture

• Born in 1985.
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
• Earned a Master’s degree in Translation from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.
• Worked in journalism and media at Al Jazeera channel in Qatar.
• Achieved first place in the “Faseeh Al-Arab” competition in Qatar in 2016.

Mohammad Sameh Hamoud

Minister of Sports and Youth

• Born in 1976.
• Holds third- and second-degree arbitration certificates.
• Holds a membership certificate for basketball coaching.
• Served as Chairman of the General Sports Federation in 2024.
• Successfully led the national basketball team to qualify for the second window of the Asian Cup in Qatar.
• Held the position of Director of the General Directorate of Sports and Youth in the Syrian Salvation Government (2021–2024).
• Played a key role in planning and supervising the rehabilitation of the municipal stadium in Idlib and established sports federations for group and individual games, strength, and athletics.
• Served as Chairman of the Elite Club (2018–2021).
• Managed Kafr Takharim Club (2008–2011).
• Executive director and owner of al-Hamoud Commercial Company.

Mazen al-Salihani

Minister of Tourism

• Born in 1979.
• Holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from the Great Lakes College of Science and Technology in Ontario, Canada.
• Earned a Master of Science in Project Management from Westcliff University, California, USA.
• Chairman and founder of a group of companies operating in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, and Syria.
• Major projects include Salwa Resort, Qatar Mall, Bentley Luxury Hotel, Giwan Island, Anantara Resort, Hilton Hotel, Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, The Ned Hotel, Al Najada Hotel, The View Hospital, Al-Rayyan Hotel, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Qatar Metro.
• International projects include Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives, Qiddiya Water City in Saudi Arabia, and Palm Village Complex and Hotel in Syria.

Mohammad Hassan Skaf

 Minister of Administrative Development

• Born in 1990.
• Holds a professional Master’s degree in Administration from Idlib University with distinction.
• Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Idlib University.
• During his previous work in the Syrian Salvation Government, he served as:

      – Member of the Administrative Follow-up Committee in the Public Administration.

      – Head of the Public Financial Budgets Committee.

    – Director of Fixed Assets Management.

    – General Director of the General Administration for Human Resources.

   – Head of the Organizational Structures Committee.

Ya’rub Suleiman Badr

 Minister of Transport

• Born in 1959.
• Holds a – Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, University of Lattakia, (1982).
• Earned a Ph.D. in Transportation Sciences from the National School of Bridges and Roads (ENPC), Paris, in 1991.
• Visiting researcher at the French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research (INRETS) (1991–1992).
• Served as a professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Lattakia University (1993–2006).
• Chaired the Administrative Committee of the General Company for Internal Transport in Lattakia.
• Member of the Board of Directors of the of the General Establishment of Road Transport and the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Transport.
• Served as Minister of Transport in Syria (2006–2011).
• Regional Advisor for Transport and Logistics at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) (2014–2024).
• University professor at the Arab International University (AIU) and Saint Joseph University in Beirut (2011–present).

Hamza al-Mustafa

 Minister of Information

• Born in 1985.
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Damascus University (2007).
• Pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations at Damascus University but was dismissed in 2012 due to his supportive stance toward the Syrian revolution.
• Earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations with a focus on Comparative Politics from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (2017).
• Holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
• Worked as a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in Doha, specializing in Syrian studies, and served as secretary for the journal Arab Policies (2011–2018).
• Served as an editorial supervisor at Al-Araby TV Network in London (2019–2020).
• Held the position of General Director of Syria TV Network from mid-2020 until March 2025.

Ruaa al-Jazaeri