Who is Bashar al-Assad
Origins and Rising to Power
Bashar al-Assad, Current Syria's president since 2000, He was born in Damascus in 1965. Hafez al-Assad, his father, was the president of Syria from 1971 until his passing in 2000. At first, it was not anticipated that Bashar would go into politics because his elder brother, Basil, was the replacement. But Bashar returned from London to study ophthalmology in order to prepare to succeed his father after Basil's untimely death in 1994.
Early in the Presidency
There were aspirations for democratic changes when he became government. Bashar made reform pledges, lifted restrictions on the media, and freed political prisoners during what is referred to as the "Damascus Spring." His administration quickly returned to authoritarian control with crackdowns on dissidents, although these changes were short-lived.
International Conflict and Civil War
Protests broke out in Syria in 2011 after being sparked by the Arab Spring. The uprising turned into a civil war including several factions and international forces as a result of Bashar's severe response. His administration was accused of using chemical weapons and violating human rights. International actors including Russia and Iran supported Bashar in the conflict, while the United States and others supported rebel forces.
Present Situation
By 2017, with considerable assistance from Russia, Bashar had retaken most of the key cities. Even while fighting is still going on in places like Idlib, Bashar's grip on power has become stronger. Critics claim that his government's contentious reconstruction initiatives, which include reclaiming war-abandoned homes, uproot former inhabitants and give preference to Bashar supporters. With his presidency characterised by continuous fighting, international scrutiny, and attempts to reconstruct Syria while securing his hold on power, Bashar continues to be a divisive figure.
Key Highlights of Bashar al-Assad
- Born: Damascus, Syria, on September 11, 1965
- President: Since 2000, he has served as Syria's president, replacing his father, Hafez al-Assad, who held the office from 1971 to 2000.
- First Career: After his brother Basil passed away in 1994, he entered politics after receiving training as an ophthalmologist.
- Early Hope: When he first came to power, there was optimism that changes would be implemented, but this optimism was short-lived, and authoritarian control continued.
- Civil War: During the 2011 Arab Spring, there were massive protests that turned into a protracted and destructive civil war.
- International Relations: While Western countries mainly denounced Assad's conduct, Russia and Iran provided military and political backing to his administration.
- Controversies: International sanctions and isolation have resulted from his regime's alleged violations of human rights, notably the deployment of chemical weapons.
- Present Situation: Although his strategies are still controversial, Assad has retaken most of the country's major cities and started the reconstruction process.
0 Comments