The rise and fall of the Assad Dynasty
After half a century of iron fisted rule, the Assad dynasy is toppled in less than a week
After 53 years in power, the Assad dynasty has fallen as Syrian rebels push ever closer to Aleppo and victory. Below is the timeline of their rule over Syria.
1970 - 1971: Hafez al-Assad leads a coup and becomes president
Hafez al-Assad, then Syria's defence minister, led the "Corrective Movement", a military coup that took place on 16 November 1970.
He was elected president in 1971 as the only candidate and is Syria's first leader from the Alawite sect of Shiite Islam, a minority that makes up around 10% of the population.
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1973: Israeli war
Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israel to reclaim land lost during the Six-Day War in 1967 but failed.
Syria was forced to give Israel the Golan Heights, with the agreement signed in 1874 officially ending the war.
1982: The Hama massacre
The regime cracked down on an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood in the city of Hama. Estimates say between 10,000 and 40,000 people died.
1994: Death of Bassel al-Assad
Bassel, Hafez's eldest son and heir apparent, died in a car accident. This prompted Hafez to groom his younger son, Bashar al-Assad, for leadership despite Bashar initially training as an ophthalmologist.
2000: Death of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar comes to power
After thirty years of rule, Hafez al-Assad died on 10 June 2000.
Bashar al-Assad, then 34, was quickly elevated to the presidency with 97% of the vote after constitutional changes lowered the minimum age requirement.
He was the only candidate.
2000–2011: Early Rule of Bashar al-Assad, Damascus Spring
In September of the year 2000, 100 intellectuals called for the lifting of martial law, more freedom and political pluralism. It became known as the "Damascus Spring".
Bashar initially introduced limited reforms, including liberalising the economy and easing some political restrictions. However, these reforms were short-lived, and the regime reverted to authoritarian practices as crackdowns began again.
Corruption, economic disparity, and political repression persisted, sowing discontent.
2011: The Syrian civil war begins
Inspired by the Arab Spring, protests erupted across Syria demanding political freedoms and an end to corruption. The regime responded with violent crackdowns, sparking a civil war.
The conflict escalated as various opposition groups, including jihadist factions, emerged, while foreign powers like the US, Russia, Iran, and Turkey became involved.
The war claimed more than 388,000 lives and displaced or forced into exile some 12 million people.
2013: Chemical Weapons Allegations
The Assad regime was accused of using chemical weapons against civilians in Ghouta, leading to international condemnation. Under US and Russian pressure, Syria agreed to dismantle its chemical arsenal, though reports of chemical attacks continue.
2021: Assad Re-elected
Bashar al-Assad won a fourth term in office in a highly controversial election, with official results showing 95% support amid claims of fraud and repression.
2022–2023: Normalization Efforts
Arab states began restoring ties with Assad after years of isolation. In 2023, Syria was readmitted to the Arab League, marking a diplomatic shift despite ongoing accusations of war crimes.
2024: The fall of the Assad dynasty
December 2024 saw the Syrian rebels make a sudden lightning-fast push into Syria, capturing the cities of Homs and Hama in the space of days and continuing a strong push to Aleppo even as the Syrian military retreated.
On December 8 2024, the Syrian rebels claimed victory as news of Assad and his family fleeing the country to an unknown destination was released by Syria's army command.
Celebrations take over the streets in Damascus as thousands in cars and on foot congregate at a main square in Damascus, waving and chanting "Freedom"
