Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a series of decrees on Saturday, May 9, appointing new officials to government and administrative posts, including the General Secretariat of the Presidency, the ministries of Information and Agriculture, and the governorates of Homs, Quneitra, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.
Abdulrahman al-A’ma Named Secretary General of the Presidency
Under the decrees issued, Abdulrahman Badr al-Deen al-A’ma was appointed secretary general of the Presidency of the Republic, a step that comes as part of a restructuring of state institutions and executive administration.
Al-A’ma, born in 1987, holds a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Homs, as well as a master’s degree in business administration from the University of the People and a degree in government institutions management from Roshd University.
Al-A’ma held several administrative and executive posts, most notably governor of Homs between 2024 and 2026, director of the Central Planning Authority, and minister of Development and Humanitarian Affairs in the Syrian Salvation Government between 2018 and 2021.
Khaled Zaarour Named Minister of Information
Under Decree No. 100, Khaled Fawaz Zaarour was appointed minister of Information.
Zaarour was born in 1990 and holds a doctorate in digital media from the Lebanese University, a master’s degree in evaluating and developing media institutions from the same university, and a degree in media from Damascus University.
Zaarour worked as a lecturer at Syrian and Lebanese universities between 2015 and 2024, and served as dean of the Faculty of Media at Damascus University in 2025.
According to the minister’s biography published by the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, the new minister took part in developing media curricula in northwestern Syria and concluded cooperation agreements with international media institutions, including the BBC, France 24, and Al Jazeera, in addition to taking part in research related to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Basel al-Suwaidan Named Minister of Agriculture
Al-Sharaa also issued Decree No. 101 of 2026, appointing Basel Hafez al-Suwaidan as minister of Agriculture.
Al-Suwaidan is an agricultural engineer who graduated from Damascus University in 2008 and is pursuing a master’s degree in rural engineering at the University of Idlib.
The new minister previously served as assistant minister of Agriculture for administrative and financial affairs, director of the agriculture and livestock sector at the sovereign fund, and manager of several agricultural investment companies.
He also chairs the committee for combating illicit enrichment and is a member of the import and export committee.
Murhaf al-Naasan Named Governor of Homs
Al-Sharaa appointed Murhaf Khaled al-Naasan as governor of Homs (central Syria) under Decree No. 103.
He was born in 1984 and holds a diploma in applied industries, specializing in chemistry technology.
He served as commander of internal security in Homs governorate from 2024 to 2026 and worked within the General Security Service before the liberation.
He also served as police chief in Idlib from 2016 to 2018 and was a field commander during the siege of Homs by Assad regime forces from 2012 to 2013.
Ghassan al-Sayyed Ahmad Named Governor of Quneitra
In Quneitra (southern Syria), Ghassan Elias al-Sayyed Ahmad was appointed the new governor under Decree No. 102 of 2026.
Al-Sayyed Ahmad, born in 1978, holds a law degree from the University of Aleppo, a master’s degree in international law, and a diploma in criminal sciences.
He previously served as governor of Deir Ezzor from March 2025, deputy governor of Deir Ezzor in 2024, and headed the Civil Council for Displaced People from the Eastern Region and the Free Local Council in Deir Ezzor between 2011 and 2012.
Al-Sayyed Ahmad is known for his experience in civil work, disaster management, and economic facilities. He is a member of the Bar Association in Deir Ezzor and a founding member of the Syrian General Conference. He was also honored by the Salvation Government for his role in supporting earthquake victims in northern Syria.
Ziad al-Ayesh Named Governor of Deir Ezzor
Under Decree No. 105 of 2026, Ziad Fawaz al-Ayesh was appointed governor of Deir Ezzor (eastern Syria).
Al-Ayesh was born in 1988 and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Idlib, a degree in Sharia sciences from al-Awza’i University, and a technical diploma from the Oil Institute in Rumailan.
Al-Ayesh held several posts in the Salvation Government, including assistant minister of Interior for civil affairs in 2025, director general of the personal ID card project between 2022 and 2023, and official in charge of civil affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
Since February 2026, he has also served as a presidential envoy to follow up on the government’s agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF. He took part in drafting settlement agreements and organizing the handover of civil institutions, in addition to his membership in the central committee for negotiations with the SDF.
Ahmad Ali Mustafa Named Governor of Latakia
In Latakia (western Syria), Ahmad Ali Mustafa was appointed the new governor under Decree No. 104.
Mustafa holds a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies and a diploma in political science. In recent years, he held posts related to the management of ports and maritime crossings, including managing Latakia Port and then serving as assistant head of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports for maritime affairs.
He also supervised agreements related to developing the maritime transport and ports sector, including agreements with CMA CGM and DP World, as well as an agreement with KUZEY STAR to establish a dock for ship maintenance and manufacturing in Tartus.
Evaluation of Ministers
Government sources had revealed in a previous Enab Baladi report that a forthcoming change was expected to include the ministries of Agriculture, Health, Information, and Communications and Information Technology.
The current government was formed on March 30, 2025, with 23 ministerial portfolios. Sovereign portfolios were handed to figures who had been part of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the current nucleus of political and military authority, which was led by current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Al-Sharaa previously confirmed that work was underway to evaluate government ministers. Three sources who attended a meeting with the Syrian president on March 3 said the evaluation would cover ministers’ work during the first year since the government was formed.
The evaluation criteria are based on each minister’s completed work and tasks and their impact on the ground, away from ministers’ media appearances and statements.
Sources said in a previous Enab Baladi report that the presidential evaluation of ministers would take place periodically every year to review their work mechanisms and progress in their portfolios.
For its part, Enab Baladi surveyed readers through its website about their expectations after reports of a coming government change.
Among around 1,000 users who took part in the poll, 35% said the changes aimed to absorb public discontent and improve the image.
Another 35% said the changes sought to bring about real change in performance and policies.
The remaining 30% considered the changes merely a redistribution of roles within the authority, without any actual change.
if you think the article contain wrong information or you have additional details
