Bashar al-Assad Quotes

A collection of quotes by Bashar al-Assad.

Bashar al-Assad, born on September 11, 1965, in Damascus, Syria, is the current President of Syria. He took office in July 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had ruled the country for three decades.

Bashar al-Assad received his education in Syria and the United Kingdom, studying ophthalmology in London. He returned to Syria and pursued a career in medicine, specializing in eye diseases. However, his life took a different trajectory when his older brother, Bassel, who was being groomed as their father's successor, died in a car accident in 1994. Bashar was immediately thrust into the political limelight and began his training in politics and military affairs.

Upon assuming the presidency, Bashar al-Assad initially inspired hope for political and economic reform in Syria, earning him praise both domestically and internationally. However, his regime's authoritarian practices and his handling of the 2011 Arab Spring protests led to widespread criticism and growing opposition. The situation escalated into a full-fledged civil war, with Bashar al-Assad's government fighting against various rebel groups, including Islamist factions and the so-called Islamic State.

Throughout the conflict, the Assad regime has been accused of various human rights abuses and the use of chemical weapons against civilians, leading to international condemnation and sanctions. Despite the ongoing war and attempts to remove him from power, Bashar al-Assad has managed to survive and retain control of key parts of the country with the support of Russia and Iran.