Al-Sharaa Overhauls Syria's Security and Intelligence Leadership

President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a major restructuring of Syria's security apparatus on July 19, 2026, consolidating power over intelligence and security agencies under Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who was additionally named head of a new National Security Bureau while retaining his ministry post. Hussein al-Salamah was named deputy head of the Bureau, Mulham al-Shantout became Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs, and Abdul Qader Tahan was appointed General Intelligence Service chief. The government framed the reorganization as strengthening national security and removing obstacles to reconstruction; it follows a string of security incidents including the July 2 Damascus cafe bombing and July 7 explosions during Macron's visit, both linked to ISIL-affiliated cells.