Ahmed al-Sharaa’s decision to appoint his inner circle to crucial government roles is prompting a growing debate over whether the promised "New Syria" is in fact turning into another family dynasty. Despite long criticizing the Assad family's transformation of Syria into a family empire, al-Sharaa now appears to be replicating that very same model.

The transitional president of Syria appointed his brother Maher al-Sharaa as Secretary General of the Presidency, while another brother, Hazem al-Sharaa, was assigned to lead the Investment Authority, overseeing economic reconstruction.

In addition, al-Sharaa named his cousin Uwais al-Sharaa as Secretary General of the Presidential Palace, a role known to carry substantial influence within the presidency.

But it doesn't end here. He also appointed Ahmed al-Durubi, his brother-in-law, as Secretary General of the Central Bank, a critical institution shaping Syria’s monetary policy.

A jihadist past: From al-Nusra to ISIS

Al-Durubi’s appointment sparked controversy, not just due to his family connection to al-Sharaa but also because of his past ties to radical jihadist groups. He previously had close connections with the al-Nusra Front, led at the time by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (as the now president al-Sharaa was known then).

Reports suggest al-Durubi was sent by al-Jolani to Iraq to purchase Konkurs-type missiles for $120,000. The money was allegedly given to him by al-Jolani.

Joining ISIS in 2015

In a surprising turn, al-Durubi left al-Nusra in 2015 and joined ISIS, reportedly taking the $120,000 missile fund with him. After ISIS was defeated in Iraq, he returned to Syria, first to Raqqa and later attempted to reenter areas in Idlib controlled by al-Nusra (now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham). He is said to have expressed regret to al-Jolani and requested forgiveness, which was denied unless the funds were returned.

Despite this past, al-Durubi was appointed Secretary General of the Central Bank on 8 December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime and Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise as transitional president.

The Syria of the al-Sharaa family

This pattern of appointments extends beyond al-Durubi. President al-Sharaa’s brothers, Maher and Hazem, now hold top government positions, and his cousin and brother-in-law, Mahir Marwan, has been appointed Governor of Damascus.

What began as a promise of a "New Syria" is increasingly being viewed as a reconstruction of the very dynastic, family-centered governance that was once the justification for toppling the previous Assad.regime.