Syria: Anas al-Khatib appointed National Security Director, in addition to his role as Minister of Interior - Sarmad

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree on Sunday appointing Anas al-Khatib as director of the National Security Office, while retaining his position as Minister of Interior. He also appointed Abdul Qader Tahan as head of the General Intelligence Directorate.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Hussein al-Salama was appointed deputy director of the National Security Office, and Milhem al-Shantout was appointed deputy minister of interior for security affairs.

Anas al-Khatib assumed senior security positions following the fall of the former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime. His career in the new administration began in January 2024 with the establishment and leadership of the General Intelligence Directorate. He was then appointed Minister of Interior in March 2025, before being tasked with running the National Security Office alongside his ministerial duties.

During this period, al-Khatib led the restructuring of the Ministry of Interior and the merger of security agencies, focusing on police development, digitalization of services, counter-terrorism, combating organized crime, and enhancing oversight and accountability.

The new head of the General Intelligence Directorate, Abdul Qader Tahan, served as deputy minister of interior for security affairs with the rank of major general in May 2025, and later as deputy minister of interior in February 2026, before his appointment to his current post.