Syrian Interim Government

At a conference held in Istanbul on 19 March 2013, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) elected Ghassan Hitto as prime minister of a Syrian interim government. Hitto announced that a technical government would be formed led by 10 to 12 ministers, with the minister of defence to be chosen by the Free Syrian Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=105541|title=Syrian rebels to choose interim defence minister|publisher=World Bulletin|date=2013-03-29|access-date=2013-11-15|archive-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219225329/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=105541|url-status=usurped}} At first, the SIG was "based in exile and lack[ed] an organizational base inside Syria."{{cite web|last=Sayigh|first=Yezid|title=The Syria's opposition 's leadership problem|url=http://carnegie-mec.org/2013/04/03/syrian-opposition-s-leadership-problem/fx6u|publisher=Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut|access-date=4 April 2013|date=3 April 2013|archive-date=21 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421165045/http://carnegie-mec.org/2013/04/03/syrian-opposition-s-leadership-problem/fx6u|url-status=live}} It was intended that the new ministries would not be placed in a single location but distributed in regions under the control of the Syrian opposition.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=105504|title=New ministries will not be in single location- Syrian opposition|publisher=World Bulletin|date=2013-03-29|access-date=2013-11-15|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230605/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=105504|url-status=usurped}}

A Christian, a Kurd and a woman were part of the first cabinet; Ahmad Ramadan of the SNC stated that the cabinet was appointed on a meritocratic basis.{{Cite news|title=Syrian opposition government begins work as Kurds announce self-rule|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2013/11/article55322280|work=Asharq Al-Awsat|date=15 November 2013|access-date=15 November 2013|archive-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113182740/http://www.aawsat.net/2013/11/article55322280|url-status=dead}} The Assyrian component of the National Coalition said that they were not given any attention in the selection of the cabinet. Its General Assembly has an administrative function.{{Cite web|title=Syrian National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces - General Body|url=http://etilaf.org/en/coalition-components/general-body.html|date=19 December 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219060437/http://www.etilaf.org/en/coalition-components/general-body.html|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=dead}} The first interim cabinet was dissolved in July 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-opposition-idUSKBN0FR12420140722|title=Syrian opposition coalition dissolves interim government|newspaper=Reuters|date=22 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223051745/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-opposition-idUSKBN0FR12420140722|url-status=live}} A new cabinet was formed in October 2014.

The SIG has been the primary civilian authority throughout most of Syria's opposition-held areas. Its system of administrative local councils operate services such as schools and hospitals in these areas.{{cite web | title=HTS-backed civil authority moves against rivals in latest power grab in northwest Syria | website=Syria Direct | date=13 December 2017 | url=https://syriadirect.org/news/hts-backed-civil-authority-moves-against-rivals-in-latest-power-grab-in-northwest-syria/ | access-date=14 November 2018 | archive-date=19 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919112904/https://syriadirect.org/news/hts-backed-civil-authority-moves-against-rivals-in-latest-power-grab-in-northwest-syria/ | url-status=live }} In December 2015, the SIG founded the Free Aleppo University (FAU), as an alternative to government-run universities; an estimated 7,000 students were enrolled in FAU in early 2018, with campuses in opposition-held territory across five provinces. In January 2018, the SIG moved the University's administration from Idlib to the west Aleppo town of Bashqateen.{{cite web | title=A power struggle over education emerges between rival opposition governments in Idlib province | website=Syria Direct | date=10 January 2018 | url=https://syriadirect.org/news/a-power-struggle-over-education-emerges-between-rival-opposition-governments-in-idlib-province/ | access-date=14 November 2018 | archive-date=14 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224549/https://syriadirect.org/news/a-power-struggle-over-education-emerges-between-rival-opposition-governments-in-idlib-province/ | url-status=live }} In late September 2016, the Syrian interim government minister for local administration was among a dozen people killed by an ISIL suicide bomber in the southern city of Inkhil.[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=50998 At least 13 persons including the minister of “interim government” killed in explosion at police station in Inkhel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215075801/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=50998 |date=15 December 2019 }} SOHR, 22 September 2016[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-suicide-attack-rocks-rebel-hq-southern-syria/ ISIS suicide attack rocks rebel HQ in southern Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407093812/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-suicide-attack-rocks-rebel-hq-southern-syria/ |date=7 April 2020 }} Al Masdar, 22 September 2016

The interim government was based in Turkey and has received direct funding from the United States. In January 2015, the Syrian interim government received US$6 million from the United States, the first funding of this kind. The funds were to be used for reconstruction efforts and the strengthening of local government in opposition-held parts of Syria such as northern Aleppo and northwestern Idlib, with the interim government planning to expand into northern Latakia and northern Hama in the following months.{{cite news |url= http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Jan-22/284937-us-gives-6-million-to-syria-opposition-government.ashx |title= US gives $6 million to Syria opposition government |date= 22 January 2015 |access-date= 22 January 2015 |agency= Agence France-Presse |archive-date= 22 January 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150122131302/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Jan-22/284937-us-gives-6-million-to-syria-opposition-government.ashx |url-status= live }} By August 2017, the Syrian interim government stopped paying salaries to workers, and work within the interim government became voluntary work.{{cite web|url=https://microsyria.com/2017/08/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%88|title=The Syrian interim government stopped paying salaries and volunteering work|work=Micro Syria|date=8 August 2017|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219064221/https://microsyria.com/2017/08/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%88/|url-status=live}} As the Turkish occupation of northern Syria grew from 2016, the SIG moved into the Turkish-controlled territories and began to exert partial authority there, including providing documents to Syrian citizens.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/safe-zone-crucial-for-turkmen-in-syria/22804|title=Safe zone 'crucial for Turkmen in Syria'|website=aa.com.tr|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007165743/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/safe-zone-crucial-for-turkmen-in-syria/22804|archive-date=2019-10-07|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/has-the-international-community-succeeded-in-creating-a-safe-zone-in-syria-after-years-of-war/|title=Has the International Community Succeeded in Creating a Safe Zone in Syria After Years of War?|date=17 April 2017|access-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007165753/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/has-the-international-community-succeeded-in-creating-a-safe-zone-in-syria-after-years-of-war/|archive-date=7 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/01/trump-real-estate-approach-safe-zones-syria-170130135423734.html|title=Trump's 'real estate' approach to safe zones in Syria|first=Joe|last=Macaron|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524234916/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/01/trump-real-estate-approach-safe-zones-syria-170130135423734.html|archive-date=2019-05-24|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/free-syrian-army-launches-ground-operation-afrin-180121062038046.html|title=Turkey's troops cross over into Syria's Afrin|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428171206/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/free-syrian-army-launches-ground-operation-afrin-180121062038046.html|archive-date=2019-04-28|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/tr/suriyede-g%C3%BCvenli-b%C3%B6lge-planlar%C4%B1-ne-kadar-ger%C3%A7ek%C3%A7i/a-50625205 |title=Suriye'de güvenli bölge planları ne kadar gerçekçi? | DW | 28.09.2019 |website=Deutsche Welle |access-date=2019-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107185057/https://www.dw.com/tr/suriyede-g%C3%BCvenli-b%C3%B6lge-planlar%C4%B1-ne-kadar-ger%C3%A7ek%C3%A7i/a-50625205 |archive-date=2019-11-07 |url-status=live }}

By late 2017, the SIG presided over 12 provincial councils and over 400 elected local councils. It held elections across Idlib Governorate in 2017. It also operates a major border crossing between Syria and Turkey, which generates an estimated $1 million revenue each month. In opposition areas outside the Turkish-occupied ones, the SIG has been in conflict with the Islamist Syrian Salvation Government for control since September 2017.

On 30 December 2017, at least 30 factions operating under the banner of the Syrian Interim Government merged in a unified armed group after four months of preparations. Jawad Abu Hatab, the SIG's Prime Minister and Defence Minister, announced the formation of the Syrian National Army (SNA) after meeting with rebel commanders in the town of Azaz. The newly formed body claimed to have 22,000 fighters, many of them trained and equipped by Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/31991.html|title=30 rebel groups merge under Interim Govt's banner, form 'The National Army'|work=Zaman al-Wasl|date=31 December 2017|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231212158/https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/31991.html|url-status=live}} The National Front for Liberation was also aligned to the Syrian Interim Government, and eventually became a subgroup of the SNA.

In 2023, Syria Direct reported that while the Syrian National Coalition was officially a higher authority than the SIG, it was the Turkish-backed SIG that actually wielded power over it, as a sign that the SNC was now operating essentially under Turkish control.{{Cite web |url=https://syriadirect.org/hadi-al-bahra-president-of-a-dead-institution/ |title=Hadi al-Bahra: President of a dead institution? |date=15 September 2023 |access-date=13 January 2024 |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113160655/https://syriadirect.org/hadi-al-bahra-president-of-a-dead-institution/ |url-status=live }} According to another report by Syria Direct, as of 2023 the SIG was still wholly dependent on Turkish support in the areas that it controlled nominally. Each Syrian local council in those areas was tied to a corresponding Turkish province. The councils' coordinators has to report to the Turkish governor who must be consulted before making decisions on strategic matters. Syrian councils were freely elected but, once elected, must work with Turkish governors to implement policies.{{Cite web |url=https://syriadirect.org/12-years-on-revolution-service-institutions-under-turkish-authority/ |title=12 years on, 'revolution' service institutions under Turkish authority|author=Walid Al Nofal |date=18 March 2023 |access-date=17 January 2025 }} In July 2024, riots erupted in SIG-held areas to protest Turkish policies and the Turkey's attempts to normalize relations with the Assad regime.

In late 2024, the Syrian National Army participated in the surprise offensives that led to the fall of the Assad regime, while also capturing territories from the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.{{Cite web |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/who-are-syrian-national-army |title=The Syrian National Army: Rebels, thugs or Turkish proxies? |date=7 December 2024|access-date=9 January 2025 }}

Abdurrahman Mustafa, head of the Syrian interim government, signed an order on 30 January 2025 to hand over all his powers and cadres to the Syrian caretaker government in Damascus. The statement was not published on its official account, but a report from the Enab Baladi said that a copy of the statement had been obtained from Yasser Haji, director of the interim government's foreign affairs and international cooperation department, and confirmed its authenticity. The SIG said: "We will provide our capabilities, cadres and expertise to the Syrian state to serve the project of building a new Syria."{{cite web |title="المؤقتة" تضع كوادرها تحت تصرف حكومة دمشق | date=4 February 2025 |url=https://www.enabbaladi.net/737589/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D9%83%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D9%85/?amp=1 |publisher=Enab Baladi |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=ar}}

The SNA has begun a process of integration into the new Syrian armed forces. On 3 February, it was reported that two SNA leaders were appointed as division commanders in the armed forces by the caretaker government's defense ministry. On 5 February and 6 February, caretaker government forces were deployed across former SIG territories.

{{Update|reason=The information below refers to a previous cabinet that was no longer current|date=January 2025}}

• Politics of Syria
• Syrian Salvation Government
• Syrian National Coalition
• Turkish occupation of northern Syria

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Syrian civil war}}

Category:2013 establishments in Syria

Category:2025 disestablishments in Syria

Category:National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces

Category:Governments in exile

Category:Syria–Turkey relations

Category:Syrian opposition groups

Category:States and territories disestablished in the 2020s