ALBAWABA - Controversy emerged on social media after the appointment of the brother of Ahmed al-Sharaa, commonly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, Maher al-Sharaa as the acting Minister of Health in Syria.
The fuss intensified after a picture of Maher al-Sharaa along with Syrian journalist Yaman Shawaf. It sparked wide controversy and condemnation amid fears of copying the old regime in Damascus.
It is worth mentioning that the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham along with other opposition groups in Syria announced an operation on November 27 against the former Syrian government and they were able to oust the Assad regime by entering the capital Damascus on December 8.
Before rebels were spotted in the capital, Syrian rebels started fights against Assad forces first in Aleppo and then in Homs and Hama cities. They were able to capture major cities and towns in a very short time.
Following the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime on December 8, the opposition in Syria led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham group announced a transitional government that will process work in the country until March 2025.
Who is Maher al-Sharaa?
Maher al-Sharaa was born in Damascus in 1973. He holds a PhD in surgery and infertility treatment and holds a diploma in health systems management. He held a position in the Salvation Government in Idlib.
He previously used the name "Maher al-Hussein", and concealed his kinship with his brother "al-Jolani".
What's the truth behind appointing Maher al-Sharaa as Health Minister?
After his picture with the Syrian journalist, Yaman Shawaf posted a video on his official Facebook account regarding the rumors about the appointment of Maher al-Sharaa as health minister.
He reaffirmed that Maher al-Sharaa was not named as the Health Minister in the transitional government in Syria. In the footage, Shawaf confirmed that Ahmed al-Sharaa and Maher are brothers and highlighted that this was the first time, Maher appeared in an official statement.
He stressed that Maher al-Sharaa is acting as Minister of Health and was not officially appointed and stated that this is a temporary thing.
