Former doctor from Russia receives high-ranking position in Syrian government, reports say
Maher al-Sharaa, the elder brother of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly built a reputation as a gynecologist in Voronezh, Russia. According to media reports, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Maher al-Sharaa as his new chief of...
TroibNews 
Maher al-Sharaa, the elder brother of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly built a reputation as a gynecologist in Voronezh, Russia.
According to media reports, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Maher al-Sharaa as his new chief of staff. Maher took on the role of secretary-general to the Syrian presidency last Saturday and previously held the position of health minister under his brother, who led the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Ahmed al-Sharaa gained control in Syria under the alias Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in December.
On Monday, various outlets, including the tabloid Life, highlighted Maher’s connections to Russia, noting that he graduated from Burdenko Medical University in Voronezh in 2000. He is reported to have worked at Golan Hospital in Syria from 2004 to 2013 before returning to Russia due to the escalating conflict in his home country.
The doctor, who was born in Damascus, held multiple positions in Voronezh from 2014 to 2021, including serving as the head of the gynecology department at a clinic owned by the Russian railway monopoly RZhD, as reported by ProDoctorov, a Russian online platform that offers patient reviews of healthcare professionals and facilities.
Life emphasized the doctor’s charm, noting that many female patients were won over by him. One patient referred to him as a “gift from God” on a medical review site, while another expressed appreciation for his support in managing her stress during treatment.
Former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was exiled in Russia after being ousted by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also has a background in medicine. Prior to his recall in 1994 to follow in the footsteps of his father, President Hafez Assad, he practiced ophthalmology in London. His return to Syria was prompted by the death of his elder brother Bassel in a car crash, which left Hafez Assad without a clear successor.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
According to media reports, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Maher al-Sharaa as his new chief of staff. Maher took on the role of secretary-general to the Syrian presidency last Saturday and previously held the position of health minister under his brother, who led the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Ahmed al-Sharaa gained control in Syria under the alias Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in December.
On Monday, various outlets, including the tabloid Life, highlighted Maher’s connections to Russia, noting that he graduated from Burdenko Medical University in Voronezh in 2000. He is reported to have worked at Golan Hospital in Syria from 2004 to 2013 before returning to Russia due to the escalating conflict in his home country.
The doctor, who was born in Damascus, held multiple positions in Voronezh from 2014 to 2021, including serving as the head of the gynecology department at a clinic owned by the Russian railway monopoly RZhD, as reported by ProDoctorov, a Russian online platform that offers patient reviews of healthcare professionals and facilities.
Life emphasized the doctor’s charm, noting that many female patients were won over by him. One patient referred to him as a “gift from God” on a medical review site, while another expressed appreciation for his support in managing her stress during treatment.
Former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was exiled in Russia after being ousted by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also has a background in medicine. Prior to his recall in 1994 to follow in the footsteps of his father, President Hafez Assad, he practiced ophthalmology in London. His return to Syria was prompted by the death of his elder brother Bassel in a car crash, which left Hafez Assad without a clear successor.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
