Assad ruled Syria with iron fist before defeat in civil war

Damascus, the capital of Syria, witnessed the abrupt end of Bashar Assad's 24-year rule in December 2024. This marked the conclusion of over half a century of strict authoritarian control by the Assad family. The fall of Assad came swiftly as rebel forces launched a rapid offensive, catching Russian and Iranian allies, who had previously supported Assad during the prolonged civil war, off guard while they were preoccupied with conflicts in other regions.

Following his defection, Assad took refuge in Moscow, marking the end of an era and signaling a new chapter for Syria. This monumental change was further underscored on Tuesday when a Damascus court sentenced him to death in absentia for a litany of alleged crimes committed during his regime, including killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture.

Assad ascended to the presidency in 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez, who had ruled the country since 1963. As per the limitations of your current subscription plan, you are unable to comment on this story. To leave a comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. For more information, please refer to our FAQ.