In a statement issued on Saturday, the SNC military council confirmed that Bashir was their new chief, replacing General Salim Idris, who has refused to step down.

The announcement of the plan for the appointment was made on February 17. Bashir is a militant commander in southern Syria.

Idris, along with more than a dozen senior militant commanders, has severed ties with the SNC, widening divisions among the foreign-sponsored opposition.

The military wing of the opposition said it has sacked its chief of staff due to difficulties in the operations against the Syrian government.

The anti-Syria military coalition was established in 2011. But it has never been able to attract people in the war-torn country.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Some sources say around 130,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants.

According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

Based on the United Nations’ statistics, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for over two years.

The UN also says more than four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict in the country.

NTJ/MB