Syria’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift with the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as the countrys interim president. State media confirmed his selection on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in Syrias history following the dramatic ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Sharaas appointment comes just seven weeks after he led the rebel offensive that toppled the long-standing regime.

A Transitional Government in the Making

Rebel military commander Hassan Abdul Ghani announced the cancellation of Syrias 2012 constitution. The dissolution of Assads former regime institutionsincluding the parliament, army, and security agenciessignals the beginning of a new political order. Sharaa, now tasked with forming an interim legislative body, is expected to oversee the country until a new constitution is drafted and elections are held, a process he estimates could take up to four years.

From Jihadist Leader to Political Statesman

Once known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, Sharaa has embarked on a drastic rebranding effort. Since breaking ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, he has sought to distance himself from his jihadist past, exchanging military fatigues and religious rhetoric for a more diplomatic approach. Sharaa has dissolved armed factions, including his own group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which evolved from al-Qaedas Syrian branch.

At a high-profile event in Damascus dubbed the “Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution,” Sharaa addressed rebel commanders, emphasizing the enormity of the task ahead. He outlined his administrations immediate priorities: filling the power vacuum through legal and legitimate means, maintaining civil peace through transitional justice, and preventing revenge attacks. Furthermore, he stressed the need to rebuild state institutions, particularly the military, security agencies, and economic infrastructure.

Rebuilding Syria: A Daunting Task

Syrias interim government, led by Mohammed al-Bashir, will oversee national affairs until March, but major challenges loom. Among the most pressing issues is Syrias relationship with Russia. On Tuesday, Syrias new government called on Moscow to address “past mistakes” by paying war reparations. During a visit from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, discussions revolved around trust-building efforts, reconstruction, and economic recovery. Despite Russias prior support for Assad, its stance on the new government remains cautious, though the Kremlin has expressed “unwavering support” for Syrias unity.

Moscows military involvement in Syria since 2015 left deep scars. Russian airstrikes and military operations claimed over 21,000 lives, including 8,700 civilians, according to monitoring groups. Now, with Assads departure, Russia has begun withdrawing troops and weapons from its key military bases in Hmeimim and Tartous.

A Complicated Legacy

Sharaas rise to power is marked by a controversial past. Born in 1982 in Damascus Mazzeh district to a wealthy family, he was reportedly radicalized after the September 11 attacks. His early years saw him fight under notorious jihadist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq before being detained by U.S. forces. In 2011, he founded the Al-Nusra Front, later rebranded as HTS. For years, he was considered a terrorist by the U.S., with a $10 million bounty on his head.