Assad’s early years in power were marked by promises of reform and modernization, with some Syrians and international observers hoping for a break from his father’s authoritarian legacy. However, these promises quickly unraveled. By the time the Arab Spring protests erupted in 2011, Assad’s government responded with unrelenting violence, leading to a civil war that devastated the nation. Millions of Syrians were displaced, and hundreds of thousands lost their lives as the conflict dragged on for more than a decade.
A Regime Defined by Brutality
Assad’s regime became infamous for its violent suppression of dissent and disregard for human rights. His government was accused of orchestrating massacres, using barrel bombs, and even deploying chemical weapons against civilians. One of the darkest chapters of his presidency came in August 2013, when a chemical weapons attack in Ghouta killed hundreds, if not more than a thousand, people, including children. The international community, including the United States and the United Nations, condemned the attack, holding Assad’s government responsible.
Despite global outrage and numerous sanctions, Assad managed to cling to power for years, largely thanks to the support of key allies like Russia and Iran. Moscow’s military intervention in 2015, in particular, turned the tide of the war in Assad’s favor, allowing him to recapture significant territories from opposition forces. Nevertheless, his regime’s legitimacy was increasingly called into question, with mounting evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.