After nearly 14 years of devastating war, the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has come to an end, with rebel forces taking control of the capital Damascus. The 24-year rule of Assad, marked by conflict, repression, and international controversy, leaves behind a fractured nation, hundreds of thousands dead, and millions displaced.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule is being seen as a historic moment. Nearly 14 years ago, when Syrians had taken to the streets in peaceful protests against the Assad regime, it responded with violent repression, triggering a devastating civil war. The brutal crackdown on the pro-democracy movement escalated into a conflict that claimed over half a million lives and displaced 12 million people from their homes.
Russia, an ally, said Sunday Bashar al-Assad has "stepped down" as president of Syria and "left" the country. This was the first official statement after the rebels — Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies — declared early Sunday morning that "the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled" as its fighters entered Damascus without any resistance, as reported by the media.
The dramatic development signals an impending change in the power dynamics in the fragmented region, also raising questions about the future of Syria.
While some are celebrating the end of an era of oppression, Syrians face an uncertain future now as the challenges of rebuilding a war-torn nation loom large, even though policy analysts and observers remain cautiously optimistic about the possibility of a democratic transition.
“For decades, this regime has been a source of oppression, instability, and devastation,” Fadel Abdulghani, executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, told Al Jazeera. He is optimistic that they can work towards "establishing a democratic state".
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Who Is Bashar al-Assad?
Bashar al-Assad is the third son of Hafez al-Assad, a Syrian military officer and prominent figure in the Baʿath Party who seized the presidency through a coup in 1971. The Assad family originates from Syria’s Alawite minority, a sect of Islam that makes up roughly 10 percent of the population and has wielded significant political influence in the country since the 1960s.
Bashar al-Assad rose to power in 2000 following the death of his father, who had ruled Syria for 30 years. Initially trained as an eye doctor in London, Bashar had not been groomed to lead. According to information available in the public domain, he completed his early education in Damascus before going to the University of Damascus to pursue the medical degree. After graduating as an ophthalmologist in 1988, he worked as an army doctor at a military hospital in Damascus. In 1992, he relocated to London to further his medical training, but was recalled to Syria after his older brother, Bassel, who had been the chosen successor, died an untimely death in a car accident in 1994.
He was groomed to take Bassel's place. After Hafez al-Assad died on June 10, 2000, a 34-year-old Bashar was quickly positioned to take over the presidency, which required lowering the minimum age for candidates from 40 to 34.
Bashar officially became president after winning a referendum where he was the sole candidate, securing over 97% of the vote.
Hopes for reform under Bashar’s early rule — due to his age and Western education and exposure — were however short-lived. Although he introduced some economic changes, his governance closely mirrored the authoritarianism of his father. As reported by the media over the years, the Assad family maintained tight control over the Ba'ath Party, the armed forces, and the political landscape of Syria.
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The Syrian Uprising And Civil War
In March 2011, as the wave of Arab Spring protests swept the region, Syrians took to the streets demanding democracy, civil liberties, and the release of political prisoners. Assad dismissed the uprising as a foreign conspiracy and branded protesters as “terrorists”. The regime’s response was swift and brutal, escalating from crackdowns to widespread military assaults, including air raids and sieges on rebel-held areas.
The conflict escalated into a full-blown civil war, drawing in regional and international actors. Assad’s government retained power with support from allies like Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, regaining much of the territory lost to opposition forces. However, Syria remained deeply divided, with Assad’s rule confined to parts of the country and backed by a narrow base of support.
Accusations Against Bashar al-Assad
Assad’s regime faced accusations of widespread human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons, torture, and starvation tactics. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in 2023, found credible evidence that Bashar’s forces carried out chemical attacks in Douma in 2018, a charge the government denied. Last November, France issued an international arrest warrant for Bashar, accusing him of complicity in crimes against humanity, while the International Court of Justice ordered Syria to end torture and other inhumane practices.
Despite all the allegations, Bashar had been re-elected in government-controlled areas for a fourth term in 2021, with official results showing he won 95.1% of the vote. These elections were widely criticised as neither free nor fair.
Syria: A Nation In Ruins
Bashar al-Assad’s tenure left Syria in ruins. The war displaced millions and devastated the country’s economy and infrastructure. Although welcomed back into the Arab League in 2023, his government’s legitimacy remained questioned by much of the international community.
In recent weeks, opposition forces mounted a rapid and unexpected advance, capturing Damascus and several major cities, culminating in Assad fleeing the country. Reports suggest he left Syria on a plane under unclear circumstances, marking the end of over 53 years of Assad family rule.