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Bashar Assad

Bashar Assad was Syria's president from 2000-2024 before rebel groups removed him from power. Assad's regime conducted a violent crackdown of protests in 2011 that led to the Syrian Civil War.

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All Content on this topic

People attend a protest against in Damascus

People attend a protest against in Damascus

Syria: Hundreds protest over Christmas tree burning — report

Reports of the burning of a Christmas tree come days after the interim leader assured minorities they’d be protected.

Portrait of Jamal Bayrakdar, a resident of Darayya

Portrait of Jamal Bayrakdar, a resident of Darayya

Syria: Eye-witnesses break silence on 2012 Darayya massacre

Even after Bashar Assad's fall, horrors linger for many Syrians navigating rubble and remains in Darayya, near Damascus.

A woman poses for a picture in front of a Christmas tree in Aleppo

A woman poses for a picture in front of a Christmas tree in Aleppo

Syria's Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas

Many Christians say they're hopeful about their future in Syria, but fears remain.

Syrian attend a gathering to call for democracy and women's rights in Damascus' Umayyad Square on December 19, 2024.

Syrian attend a gathering to call for democracy and women's rights in Damascus' Umayyad Square on December 19, 2024.

Is a UN Security Council resolution key to Syria's future?

Resolution 2254, agreed upon in 2015, outlined how the Syrian civil war might end. Is it still fit for purpose?

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Will Syrian refugees stay in Germany?

There are currently 974,000 Syrian nationals living in Germany where they have built new lives after fleeing civil war.

the inside of a mosque that has been converted into a shelter for refugees

the inside of a mosque that has been converted into a shelter for refugees

Syria: Assad's fall triggers a new flow of refugees

Assad loyalists from the country's Shiite minority are leaving Syria fearing persecution by the new leaders.

Türkei Syrien 2024 | Rückkehr von Syrern in ihre Heimat

Türkei Syrien 2024 | Rückkehr von Syrern in ihre Heimat

In data: Syria after the war

The war in Syria has left a trail of destruction. The country is devastated, fragmented, and economically ruined.

DW-Sendung Reporter | Omar Al Masry in Syrien

DW-Sendung Reporter | Omar Al Masry in Syrien

Return to Syria: Balancing hope and apprehension

After the fall of Assad, some Syrians are returning from exile. But what awaits them there?

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has governed Idlib since 2017. Could it be a model for the whole country?

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has governed Idlib since 2017. Could it be a model for the whole country?

Is HTS ready to govern post-Assad Syria?

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has governed Idlib since 2017. Could it be a model for the whole country?

men working on a pile of rubble that was once their home

men working on a pile of rubble that was once their home

Syrians return to neighborhoods resembling wasteland

After more than a decade of civil war, many returning Syrians find their neighborhoods unrecognizable.

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

Will Germany Send Syrians Back?

How Assad’s fall is shaking up Germany’s migration debate

Türkei | syrische Geflüchtete in Gaziantep

Türkei | syrische Geflüchtete in Gaziantep

Turkey: Syrian refugees at a crossroads

The downfall of Assad leaves Syrian refugees in Turkey at a crossroads: Return, or stay?

Issa al Yassin, a former general in Bashar Assad's Syrian army, talks to a man who belongs to transitional authorities in Syria and is standing behind a desk.

Issa al Yassin, a former general in Bashar Assad's Syrian army, talks to a man who belongs to transitional authorities in Syria and is standing behind a desk.

Former Syrian soldiers hand over their weapons

Some members of former President Assad's military are being integrated into Syria's new order.

Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA)

Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA)

Fact check: Do these images prove violence in Syria?

Numerous gruesome images online purport to show violence and murder in Syria. DW reviewed some of them.

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

How Assad's fall is shaking up Germany's migration debate

How Assad’s fall is shaking up Germany’s migration debate

Syrien Aleppo | Dschihadisten erreichen Innenstadt

Syrien Aleppo | Dschihadisten erreichen Innenstadt

Can Syria's devastated cultural heritage be rebuilt?

As Syria's brutal almost 14-year civil war ends, heritage experts are working to protect its battered cultural riches.

Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), poses for a selfie (file photo)

Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), poses for a selfie (file photo)

EU mulls relations with Syria's new leaders

With other actors being quick to try to exert influence, the EU must decide how to engage with those now in power.

Three White Helmets work on a mass grave in Douma, outside of Damascus

Three White Helmets work on a mass grave in Douma, outside of Damascus

Syrian mass graves revealed

There are estimates that hundreds of thousands of Syrians could have been buried in mass graves under Assad's rule.

Syrian fighters watch Russian armored vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian air base currently operated by Russia, in the town of Hmeimim, southeast of Latakia.

Syrian fighters watch Russian armored vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian air base currently operated by Russia, in the town of Hmeimim, southeast of Latakia.

Russian military: Moving from Syria to Libya?

Russian military bases in Syria appear to be being packed up and evacuated. But where is Russia going?

View of a Syrian passenger plane at Damascus Airport

View of a Syrian passenger plane at Damascus Airport

Domestic flights resume in Syria

Ten days after the downfall of Bashar Assad, Damascus International Airport is open for business again.

A man holds a flag adopted by the Syrian new rulers, after Syria's Bashar Assad was ousted, in central Damascus, Syria.

A man holds a flag adopted by the Syrian new rulers, after Syria's Bashar Assad was ousted, in central Damascus, Syria.

Which countries win, which lose from the upheaval in Syria?

The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has direct consequences for several countries. DW takes a closer look.

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria

Syria's ethnic and religious groups explained

Syria, with various ethnic and religious groups, is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East.

A young man seen from behind watching a crowd of people celebrating in the streets

A young man seen from behind watching a crowd of people celebrating in the streets

Syrian culture ready for a new start

After the fall of the Assad regime, artists and intellectuals want to help drive change in Syria.

man praying in a church

man praying in a church

Mixed emotions as Syrian minorities contemplate the future

Some Syrians feel ambivalent towards the new Syria, including many in the country’s minorities.

people go through documents in Adra prison in Damascus

people go through documents in Adra prison in Damascus

Syria: Inside Assad's infamous jails

Thousands of inmates have been freed from Assad's prisons. DW follows a man who was held at Damascus' Adra jail.

View of a man's feet stepping on a Syrian regime flag (L) next to Iranian national flags in a ransacked office

View of a man's feet stepping on a Syrian regime flag (L) next to Iranian national flags in a ransacked office

Fall of Assad in Syria caps bad year for Iran

DW looks at why the Islamic Republic's influence and stability are now under threat.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, attends a graduation ceremony for a group of armed forces cadets in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, attends a graduation ceremony for a group of armed forces cadets in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, October 10, 2023

After Assad's ouster in Syria, will Iran's regime fall next?

For Iranians, Assad's ouster is significant because Syria has been a cornerstone of Tehran's regional strategy.

A damaged poster showing the image of former President of Syria Bashar Assad adorns a government building on December 15, 2024, in Aleppo, Syria

A damaged poster showing the image of former President of Syria Bashar Assad adorns a government building on December 15, 2024, in Aleppo, Syria

Syria: Where is Bashar Assad's money?

Syria's dictator may have taken billions out of the Syrian economy. Experts say it's unlikely to ever be recovered.

A Syrian national, who sought refuge in Europe due to the war in Syria, works in a Syrian restaurant in Berlin, Germany, on December 10, 2024

A Syrian national, who sought refuge in Europe due to the war in Syria, works in a Syrian restaurant in Berlin, Germany, on December 10, 2024

As Europe needs workers, Syrians face push to return

With labor shortages across Europe, how can EU states balance calls to repatriate Syrians with their workforce needs?

Ghada Shouaa holds aloft the Syria flag at the 1996 Olympics

Ghada Shouaa holds aloft the Syria flag at the 1996 Olympics

Syria: Assad regime 'destroyed a generation of athletes'

Syria's only Olympic champion saw broken promises, fear and death threats from the Assad regime. She demands change.

Gebürtiger Syrer ist Bürgermeisterkandidat in schwäbischem Dorf

Gebürtiger Syrer ist Bürgermeisterkandidat in schwäbischem Dorf

Syrian mayor of German town views Assad fall with caution

Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee who was voted mayor of Ostelheim, shares his views on the toppling of Assad's rule.

Syrian schools reopen

Syrian schools reopen

Syrian schools open a week after fall of Assad regime

One week after rebel groups put an end to the rule of the Assad family, students are returning to classrooms in Syria.

The devastated city of Aleppo pictured after the fall of the Assad family's brutal five-decade rule

The devastated city of Aleppo pictured after the fall of the Assad family's brutal five-decade rule

How Syria might prosecute Assad

Will ousted ruler Assad ever answer for his brutal crimes against the Syrian people? Legal experts explain the options.

An aerial view of a peaceful demonstration in Damascus after Friday prayer

An aerial view of a peaceful demonstration in Damascus after Friday prayer

Syria marks first Friday prayers since Assad toppled

Syrians marked the first Friday prayers since the defeat of the Assad regime by a lightning rebel offensive.

A Syrian Rebel is holding Captagon pills in his palm that were hidden in an electrical componant

A Syrian Rebel is holding Captagon pills in his palm that were hidden in an electrical componant

Syrian rebels uncover Captagon drug factory linked to Assad

Syria's ousted Assad regime denied involvement in the narcotics trade. But rebel fighters say they have found proof.

A man lifts a black plastic sheet covering a body (off frame) at the morgue of Mujtahid hospital in central Damascus, Syria

A man lifts a black plastic sheet covering a body (off frame) at the morgue of Mujtahid hospital in central Damascus, Syria

Syrians flock to morgues in search of missing relatives

In Syria, people are scouring morgues in search of relatives who disappeared under Assad. Warning: graphic images.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) reviews troops alongside former Syrian President Bashar Assad (L), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) during a visit to Hmeimim air base on December 11, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) reviews troops alongside former Syrian President Bashar Assad (L), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) during a visit to Hmeimim air base on December 11, 2017

What will happen to Russia's military bases in Syria?

With the ouster of Assad, the future of Russia's military presence in Syria looks unclear.

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

Syrians adjust to life after Assad

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

Mraee Al Mraee, a Syrian German IT engineer living in Berlin, speaks to DW

Mraee Al Mraee, a Syrian German IT engineer living in Berlin, speaks to DW

Syrians in Germany express hope, fear after Assad's fall

The fall of Syria's Assad regime has left Syrian refugees in Germany going through a range of emotions.

People gather at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

People gather at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Fact check: Misleading claims about Syria's Saydnaya Prison

Images and videos allegedly showing the Saydnaya prisoners flooded the internet. DW analyzed some viral claims.

Syrians in Istanbul celebrate the fall of Assad's regime holding Turkish and Syrian resistance flags

Syrians in Istanbul celebrate the fall of Assad's regime holding Turkish and Syrian resistance flags

Iran-Turkey ties tested by Assad's downfall in Syria

The newly created power vacuum in Syria is set to change a delicate balance of interests between Turkey and Iran.

Syrian refugee Lina Shaar, a mother of four, who works at a children's clothing store in Istanbul speaks to DW

Syrian refugee Lina Shaar, a mother of four, who works at a children's clothing store in Istanbul speaks to DW

Emotions run high as Syrians in Turkey consider going home

Turkey offered refuge to over 3 million Syrians fleeing civil war and the Assad regime. DW met some of them in Istanbul.

TOPOe, 12.12.24, Totale

TOPOe, 12.12.24, Totale

Assad's downfall: Can Syria be reborn?

Is there a chance for democracy and lasting peace in Syria, or will civil war make a return?

Members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a flag in Deir al-Zour

Members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a flag in Deir al-Zour

Syrian Kurds cautiously hope for the best, fear the worst

The Kurdish SDF held large parts of Syria east of the Euphrates, but Islamist rebels have pushed back.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

How vulnerable is Iran after the fall of Syria's Assad?

Iran has said the fall of Assad will strengthen the "axis of resistance." DW spoke with expert Behnam Ben Taleblu.

Families wait outside a prison, clinging to the hope of finding their incarcerated or disappeared loved ones.

Families wait outside a prison, clinging to the hope of finding their incarcerated or disappeared loved ones.

Syrians search for loved ones in infamous Saydnaya Prison

In Syria, relatives of those detained under Assad search for traces of their loved ones. Warning: graphic content.

Russian warplanes at an air base in Syria

Russian warplanes at an air base in Syria

Fate of Russian military bases in Syria remains open

In the wake of the Islamist rebel victory in Syria, Russia is considering the future of its military bases.

A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

Can EU engage a former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria?

The EU has decided to wait and see how the Islamist rebels act in Syria before engaging with the group at any level.

Close-up of Wafa Bathish Shaer, resident of Masada in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

Close-up of Wafa Bathish Shaer, resident of Masada in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

How Golan Heights Druze community views post-Assad Syria

With the end of the Assad regime, Druze in the Golan Heights are worried about the future for their families in Syria.

Old images show a plane crash and an image of Assad with his wife in Aleppo, labelled False

Old images show a plane crash and an image of Assad with his wife in Aleppo, labelled False

Fact check: Fakes surrounding Assad's escape to Moscow

A lack of recent images or videos of Syria's toppled ruler Bashar Assad is fueling speculation about his fate.