DUBAI: Syria’s new rulers confirmed the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as defense minister in the new interim government, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
On December 21, Reuters reported from an official source on the appointment of Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the uprising that overthrew Bashar al-Assad.
Abu Qasra emerged as a prominent figure in the military efforts of the opposition forces. He served as a military capabilities engineer, organizing and leading operations in opposition-held areas. Over the years, he has gained recognition for his role in coordinating and executing key military strategies. As a senior figure in Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, he bore the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600 or Abu Hassan al-Hamwi.
As commander of the HTS military wing, Abu Qasra was responsible for the creation of the HTS drone unit, the Shaheen Brigades, named after Abu Qasra himself. He was also one of the key leaders in the 2024 Syrian opposition offensive.
Since 21 December 2024, he has served as the Minister of Defense in the Syrian Transitional Government.
