HTS commander Abu Qasra named Syria's new defence minister

Murhaf Abu Qasra, a senior Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commander, has been appointed Syria's new defence minister, officials confirmed. Abu Qasra, known as Abu Hassan 600, played a key role in military operations that led to Bashar al-Assad's ousting. The decision comes after PM Mohammed al-Bashir announced plans to restructure the ministry with former rebel factions and defected officers.