Bashar al-Assad

Bashar Hafez al-Assad (born 11 September 1965) is a Syrian politician who has served as the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. He is also the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the regional secretary of the Ba'ath Party.

Early Life and Education

Bashar al-Assad was born in Damascus, the capital of Syria, to Hafez al-Assad and Anisa Makhlouf. He is the second son of his parents. Bashar attended the Arab-French al-Hurriya School in Damascus before studying medicine at Damascus University, where he graduated in 1988. He later specialized in ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital in London, United Kingdom.

Political Career

Bashar al-Assad's political career began unexpectedly after the death of his elder brother, Bassel al-Assad, in a car accident in 1994. Bashar was called back to Syria from London to prepare for a future role in leadership. He joined the military academy at Homs and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a colonel in 1999.

Presidency

Bashar al-Assad became the President of Syria following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, in June 2000. He was elected with a reported 97.29% of the vote in a national referendum. His presidency has been marked by efforts to modernize the Syrian economy and infrastructure, but also by significant political repression and human rights abuses.

Syrian Civil War

The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 as part of the wider wave of the Arab Spring protests. The conflict escalated from protests against Assad's government to a full-scale civil war. Assad's government has been accused of numerous war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Syrians displaced internally and as refugees.

Personal Life

Bashar al-Assad is married to Asma al-Assad, née Akhras, a former investment banker. The couple has three children. Asma al-Assad has been involved in various charitable activities in Syria.

Controversies

Bashar al-Assad's regime has been widely criticized for its human rights record. International organizations have accused the government of torture, extrajudicial killings, and the use of chemical weapons. The United Nations and other international bodies have called for investigations into these allegations.

International Relations

Assad's government has maintained close ties with Russia and Iran, both of which have provided military and economic support during the Syrian Civil War. Relations with Western countries have been strained, with many imposing sanctions on Syria.

See Also

• Hafez al-Assad
• Syrian Civil War
• Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)

External Links

• Official website of the Syrian Arab News Agency