Following the suspension of Syria’s 2012 Constitution, the Syrian presidency has appointed a seven-member committee to review and propose a constitutional framework for the transitional period.

What We Know So Far About the Transitional Period as reported

Before outlining the committee member profiles, here are the key details known about Syria’s transitional period as reported by Al-Jazeera:

• The Syrian constitutional drafting committee will issue a constitutional declaration comprising 48 articles.
• The declaration mandates that the President of the Republic be Muslim.
• The President is required to appoint the People’s Assembly within 60 days of the constitutional declaration’s issuance.
• The People’s Assembly will consist of 100 members, designed to reflect equitable representation of Syria’s diverse societal components while emphasizing competence.
• The President will appoint all People’s Assembly members via presidential decree, with the assembly serving a two-year term.
• The constitutional declaration will permit the establishment of political parties grounded in national principles, pending the enactment of a subsequent law.
• Under the declaration, the President will hold the position of Supreme Commander of the Army and Armed Forces.

Below are the profiles of the committee members:

Committee Members for Syrian Constitution

Transitional Period Constitutional Reform

Abdul Hamid al-Awak

Turkey-backed Opposition Academic

Abdul Hamid al-Awak

Doctor of Law from Mardin University, Turkey. A long-standing opposition figure who helped establish judicial systems in Turkish-controlled northern Syria. His expertise lies in transitional justice.

Yasser al-Huwaish

Liberal, Pro-Individual Freedoms Academic

Yasser al-Huwaish

Doctor of Law and Dean of Damascus Law Faculty (appointed January 22, 2025). Born in Damascus (1968), he completed his doctoral studies in Egypt, specializing in international law. Known as a staunch advocate for public and individual freedoms—a notable appointment by Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Ismail al-Khalfan

Turkey-backed Opposition Academic

Ismail al-Khalfan

Doctor of International Law and recently appointed Dean of Aleppo Law Faculty (December 31, 2024). A veteran opposition member affiliated with the Syrian National Coalition where he handled institutional and electoral matters. Despite his opposition credentials, he has no ties to HTS and has openly criticized them.

Rayan Kahilan

Neutral Academic

Rayan Kahilan

An unexpected appointment. Doctor of Public Law from Damascus University who previously engaged with constitutional matters under the former regime. While appearing in loyalist media, she maintained political neutrality.

Muhammad Redha Jalakhi

HTS Representative Academic

Muhammad Redha Jalakhi

Considered Ahmad al-Sharaa and HTS's representative on the committee. Recently completed his doctorate in law from Idlib University and experienced rapid advancement under the new government, becoming one of Ahmad al-Sharaa's legal advisers. Appointed to the staff of Syrian University Online on February 3, 2025.

Ahmad Korabi

Turkey-backed Opposition Academic

Ahmad Korabi

Holds a doctorate in Public Law from Aleppo University and EDDMO in Beirut. Worked within opposition structures, particularly at the Free University of Aleppo. Specializes in intercommunity dialogue and property rights issues.

Bahia Mardini

Opposition International

Bahia Mardini

A surprising selection. Kurdish doctor of International Law based in the United Kingdom. A veteran opposition figure who worked as a journalist and with Reporters Without Borders. Previously engaged with the opposition through the Syrian National Coalition. She has worked with the Qatari al-Arabi al-Jadeed newspaper as well as the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies of Azmi Bishara who are supported by Qatar but are secular as Bishara is a Christian Palestinian.

Abdul Hamid al-Awak
A Doctor of Law from Mardin University, Turkey, and a long-standing opposition figure. He played a key role in establishing judicial systems in Turkish-controlled northern Syria and specializes in transitional justice.

Yasser al-Huwaish
A Doctor of Law and, as of January 22, 2025, the Dean of Damascus University’s Law Faculty. Born in Damascus in 1968, he earned his doctorate in Egypt, focusing on international law. Al-Huwaish is a stunch advocate for public and individual freedoms, making his appointment by Ahmad al-Sharaa particularly noteworthy.

Ismail al-Khalfan
A Doctor of International Law and recently appointed Dean of Aleppo University’s Law Faculty (December 31, 2024). A veteran opposition figure with ties to the Syrian National Coalition, where he managed institutional and electoral affairs. Despite his opposition credentials, he has no affiliation with HTS and has publicly criticized the group.

Rayan Kahilan
A surprising appointment. A Doctor of Public Law from Damascus University who previously worked on constitutional matters under the former regime. Although she has appeared in pro-government media, she has tried to appear as politically neutral.

Muhammad Redha Jalakhi
Regarded as the representative of Ahmad al-Sharaa and HTS on the committee. Recently earned his doctorate in law from Idlib University and has risen rapidly under the new government, serving as one of Ahmad al-Sharaa’s legal advisers. On February 3, 2025, he was appointed to the faculty of Syrian University Online.

Ahmad Korabi
Holds a doctorate in Public Law from Aleppo University and a postgraduate degree from EDDMO in Beirut. He has worked extensively within opposition structures, particularly at the Free University of Aleppo. His expertise lies in intercommunal dialogue and property rights.

Bahia Mardini
A notable and unexpected selection. An ethnically Kurdish (though self-identified as Syrian) Doctor of International Law based in the United Kingdom. A veteran opposition figure, she has worked as a journalist and collaborated with Reporters Without Borders. Previously affiliated with the Syrian National Coalition, she has contributed to the Qatari-funded al-Arabi al-Jadeed newspaper and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, led by Azmi Bishara. Though funded by Qatar, the center is secular, reflecting Bishara’s background as a Christian Palestinian intellectual.