In recent days, new appointments in the Syrian military leadership have raised questions. On Thursday, Lua (Maj. Gen.) Ali Abbas was appointed Minister of Defense. This is the fifth minister in office since the uprising in Syria began in 2011. 

The election of Abbas was surprising as he is not considered senior in terms of his rank and status. 

According to several sources, he is close to the president's brother, Maher Assad, and is also acceptable to the Iranian military establishment, which apparently paved the way for him to take office. Today, a new chief of staff has been appointed to the Syrian army - Abdulkarim Ibrahim. 

The chief of staff is considered an operationally significant figure while the defense minister in the Bashar era is considered a more symbolic figure.

The question of whether these appointments will have any effect on the forces on the ground. The explanation is that no significant changes will take place since control of the security forces in Syria is in the hands of those close to Assad and less in the hands of the defense minister who is supposed to control the army, most of whose units are low-functioning after years of fighting.