Who is Marhef Abu Qasra, the Minister of Defense in the new Syrian government?

Following the major political shift in Syria with the fall of the Assad regime last December, the name **Marhaf Abu Qasra**, known as **"Abu Hassan Al-Hamwi"** or **"Abu Al-Hassan 600"**, emerged as one of the prominent military leaders in the country. Today, he holds the position of **Minister of Defense** in the transitional Syrian government, as part of the first ministerial lineup after the previous era. **Academic Background and Military Career** Born in **1983** in **Halfaya City in Hama Governorate**, Marhaf Abu Qasra grew up in a rural environment before moving to **Damascus** to complete his university studies. He obtained a **Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering** from the **University of Damascus**. Prior to the Syrian revolution, he worked as an agricultural engineer, but the events in the country since 2011 completely changed the course of his life. **From Agricultural Engineer to Military Mind of the Revolution** At the beginning of the **Syrian revolution in 2011**, Abu Qasra engaged in military work within the ranks of the armed opposition, utilizing his technical and organizational background. His name quickly rose as one of the prominent field commanders in northern Syria, especially within the ranks of **Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham**, where he assumed the position of **Commander-in-Chief of the military wing**. He played a crucial role in managing and executing strategic military operations that contributed to **the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024**. He was among those who led the **Military Command Operations Room** overseeing those operations, earning the military nickname **"Abu Hassan 600"** symbolizing his rank and importance in the organizational structure. **Appointment as Minister of Defense in the Transitional Phase** On **December 21, 2024**, the Commander-in-Chief of the Operations Room, **Ahmed Al-Shar'a**, announced the appointment of Marhaf Abu Qasra as the Minister of Defense in the transitional Syrian government. This appointment is part of a plan aimed at **unifying and organizing the military factions under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense**, paving the way for building a unified Syrian national army that meets the requirements of the transitional phase and ensures the country's stability. **Heavy Challenges and National Responsibilities** Abu Qasra faces **significant and complex challenges**, including restructuring the military institution, integrating armed factions officially, and **dealing with international restrictions imposed on some designated terrorist factions**. Nevertheless, he is seen as a key figure in the new military and political equation due to his extensive field experience and ability to **coordinate between different military components**. He is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a modern army capable of protecting the transitional phase and contributing to **ensuring security and stability within the country**.