Bashar Assad, the son of a former Syrian ruler, never intended to go into politics, originally planning to be an ophthalmologist before his brother’s death led to his rise as a brutal dictator. Over the years, Assad faced backlash for his cruel tactics and alliance with Iran and Russia to maintain power, including the use of chemical weapons on his own people. Despite early doubts about his leadership abilities when he took office, Assad managed to cling to power while facing calls for his ousting. However, his regime weakened as the civil war in Syria intensified, leading to increased reliance on external support.
Ultimately, Assad’s rule began to crumble when outside forces, including Iran, Hezbollah, the U.S., and Russia, became involved in the conflict. As rebel groups gained strength and control of key territories, Assad found himself losing ground despite the support from his allies. The situation escalated further as rebel factions, including the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, pushed back against Assad’s forces. In late November, rebels led by HTS made significant gains, seizing major cities including Damascus and prompting Assad to flee to Russia. The rapid downfall of Assad’s regime marked the end of his oppressive rule, signaling a new chapter for Syria but leaving behind a legacy of violence and devastation.
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