State news agency SANA reported that former Homs governor Abdul Rahman Badreddine Al-Aama was appointed secretary-general of the Syrian presidency, replacing Maher Al-Sharaa, the president’s brother.The reshuffle also included the replacement of Information Minister Hamza Almustafa and Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr.

Khaled Fawaz Zaarour, previously head of the media faculty at Damascus University, was named information minister, while Bassel Hafez Al-Sweidan took over the agriculture portfolio.No official explanation was provided for the changes.

The appointments mark one of the most notable adjustments to Syria’s transitional government since it was formed in March 2025 following the 2024 ouster of longtime ruler Bashar Assad. The interim administration has largely been composed of figures considered close to Sharaa and his political network.

Alongside cabinet-level changes, Sharaa appointed new provincial governors for several regions, including Homs, Quneitra, Latakia and Deir Ezzor, according to SANA.

The personnel changes come as Syria’s transitional authorities continue efforts to restructure state institutions after years of civil conflict, economic collapse and political fragmentation that intensified following Assad’s removal from power.

In a strongly worded statement, the Church urged the public, “Do not get carried away with rumors”, emphasizing that concerns over safety and governance in the region have been exaggerated.

The Church’s response comes amid rising speculation about the security of religious minorities in the coastal city, where reports had suggested a growing atmosphere of uncertainty. However, officials from the Church assured that their engagement with the GSS reaffirmed the stability of the community.

The statement was shared by Charles Lister of the Washington-based Middle East Institute’s Syria Program and founder of SyriaWeekly.com, further amplifying its reach among analysts and observers tracking developments in Syria.

While tensions in parts of Syria continue, Latakia has largely remained under firm government control, and the Church’s remarks seek to counter concerns that recent events might pose a direct threat to the Christian community in the city.

Local sources indicate that religious institutions remain operational and that no extraordinary security measures have been imposed, reinforcing the Church’s message of calm.

While misinformation continues to spread in conflict zones, the Church’s statement serves as a call for discernment, urging both residents and the international community to rely on verified sources rather than unconfirmed speculation.