Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday issued a decree appointing Anas Khattab as Director of the National Security Office, while retaining his position as Minister of Interior, and appointed Abdul Qader Tahan as head of the General Intelligence Service.

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

Anas Khattab has held senior security positions since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime, starting in January 2024 with the establishment and leadership of the General Intelligence Service, then being appointed Minister of Interior in March 2025, before being tasked with managing the National Security Office alongside his post.

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

As for the new head of General Intelligence, Abdul Qader Tahan, he served in May 2025 as Deputy Minister of Interior for Security Affairs with the rank of Major General, then as Deputy Minister of Interior in February 2026, before being appointed to his new post.