Syrian President Sharaa Consolidates National Security and Intelligence Control

President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a fundamental restructuring of Syria's security and intelligence apparatus on July 19, 2026. The overhaul consolidates authority by placing both public and national security under a single command, effectively ending the institutional divide between the Interior Ministry and intelligence services. Interior Minister Anas Khattab will now head the National Security Bureau while retaining his ministry portfolio, making him the sole authority for both strategic and operational security decision-making.

Additional key appointments include Abdul Qader Tahan as head of the General Intelligence Service and Hussein al-Salama as deputy head of the National Security Bureau, reporting to Khattab. Mulham Al-Shantout was named assistant interior minister for security affairs. These moves aim to eliminate overlapping authorities among agencies, including those linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The reshuffle follows a series of security failures in Damascus, including two bombings in early July by an ISIL-affiliated cell that occurred during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit on July 6-7. Authorities also recently intercepted a weapons shipment smuggled from Iraq intended for Hezbollah. By stabilizing the security environment, the transitional administration, formed in January 2025, intends to attract foreign investment and facilitate reconstruction. This internal shift coincides with Syria's improving international standing, including restored diplomatic ties with France and the United States' removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.