Syrians are concerned following the appearance of a flag associated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) during the first address by Mohammed al-Bashir, Syria's new interim prime minister this week.
In his televised speech on Tuesday, Syria's new interim leader announced the formation of his transitional government, which he said would oversee the country's governance until 1 March 2024 when elections are expected to take place.
Al-Bashir, a former civilian leader of opposition-held areas in north-western Syria, rose to power with the support of rebel factions that played a key role in overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December.
In his brief address, he confirmed that the cabinet meeting, which included members of the opposition Salvation Government and representatives from the former regime, aimed to transfer administrative responsibilities to the caretaker government.
However, controversy struck when the prime minister stood flanked by two flags: the green, white, and black flag of Syria’s anti-Assad opposition, and a second flag bearing the Islamic shahada, associated with Sunni Islamist groups.
This flag, used by HTS but also linked to groups such as the Taliban in Afghanistan, has sparked widespread condemnation among Syrians and activists.
Many have accused al-Bashir and the new government of promoting an agenda akin to Hezbollah in Syria but with a Sunni orientation.
'We did not shed blood for this'
Prominent Syrian voices took to social media to express their anger and worry that the Syrian revolution would be "hijacked" by HTS.
"We did not shed blood and endure displacement just to create a new Hezbollah in Syria with a Sunni twist," US attorney Mustafa Backo tweeted.
Ayman Abdel Nour, a board member of the Arab Christian Congress, also condemned the flag's presence, claiming that the Syrian Future Movement had rejected the use of any partisan flags alongside the national flag.
Former Al Arabiya TV host Asya Hesham added her voice to the outcry, writing: "We do not want this flag. We are Syrians, and at this sensitive moment, every word and action matters. There is no need to spread religious symbols or divisive messages. We must remain united under the flag of Syrian independence."
The national flag under Assad - red, white, black - has been used since 1980, however, following the revolution Syrians and opposition forces adopted a new flag to represent a more inclusive vision for the country.
The new opposition flag - consisting of green, white, black, and red - is a modern iteration of the so-called 'Independence Flag' flown during Syria’s struggle for freedom from French colonial rule.
This new flag has become a unifying symbol for Syrian refugees and anti-Assad activists worldwide.
Syria's new prime minister previously promised that the new alliance would "guarantee" the rights of all religious sects and groups and called on the Syrian refugees to return home.