Syria's new authorities named **General Murhaf Abu Qasra** as the **defense minister** of the transitional government on December 31.
Abu Qasra, 41, previously led the armed faction of **Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)** and was instrumental in the offensive that toppled **Bashar al-Assad**.
He received the rank of **general** prior to his appointment in a decree from HTS chief **Ahmed al-Sharaa**.
Abu Qasra aims to integrate HTS’s armed wing into national forces and extend authority to **Kurdish-held areas** in northern Syria.
The new interim prime minister, **Mohammad al-Bashir**, leads the transitional government, with plans to address ongoing Israeli military actions.