Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa has officially appointed new leaders to oversee the country's primary security and intelligence agencies. According to reports, Interior Minister Anas Khattab has been named the head of the National Security Bureau, a position he will hold concurrently with his existing duties as interior minister. Furthermore, Abdul Qader Tahan has been appointed to lead the General Intelligence Service.
The administrative changes also include the appointment of Hussein Al Salama as the deputy head of the National Security Bureau, while Mulham Al Shantout has been named the assistant interior minister for security affairs. These appointments are part of a broader initiative by the new Syrian administration to enhance national security, promote stability, and address existing barriers to reconstruction and development efforts.
The National Security Bureau serves as the oversight body for all Syrian security agencies. The General Intelligence Service is tasked with gathering intelligence, providing security assessments on both domestic and international matters, and conducting operations against terrorism and espionage.
These leadership updates occur in the wake of the political transition that began in late 2024. In December 2024, Bashir al Assad, who had governed the country for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, signaling the conclusion of the Baath Party’s regime that had been in power since 1963. A transitional administration, led by al Sharaa, was subsequently established in January 2025.
