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A poster of Syrian president Bashar Assad is torn down in Aleppo, Syria
Image: Mohammed Al-Rifai/AFP/Getty Images

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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News

January 7, 2025

Syria: First international flights land after Assad fall

January 5, 2025

Syria's new top diplomat in Qatar in bid to build ties

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A Syrian schoolgirl raises the arm. On her cheek is the revolutionary Syrian flag with three red stars

Syria: Nationalist education dropped, but what comes next?

Syria: Nationalist education dropped, but what comes next?

Despite protest on 'Islamic' curriculum changes, Syria faces parallel priorities. Millions of children are out of school
EducationJanuary 18, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, center, attend a signing ceremony for a partnership treaty

Iran and Russia look to forge stronger ties against West

Iran and Russia look to forge stronger ties against West

Iran has become Russia's main military supplier in its war in Ukraine.
PoliticsJanuary 17, 202502:16 min
Wagner mercenaries in military uniform walking along a street

Russia's influence in Africa may weaken after Assad's fall

Russia's influence in Africa may weaken after Assad's fall

Russia fears for its bases in Syria and elsewhere after the ousting of dictator Bashar Assad, a Kremlin ally.
ConflictsJanuary 12, 2025
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock walks on a lilac carpet as she arrives for a summit on Syria in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Diplomats meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria's future

Diplomats meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria's future

Top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe are in Riyadh to chart a course for Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad.
PoliticsJanuary 12, 202502:05 min
Syrians celebrate the end of the Assad regime, waving flags, at the train station in Duisburg

German minister signals change to Syrian refugee policy

German minister signals change to Syrian refugee policy

Germany may soon be changing its policy toward the 1 million Syrians who have sought refuge from the Assad regime.
PoliticsJanuary 5, 202503:06 min
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (center) and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock (R) visit the notorious Saydnaya prison in Syria. Both wear protective facemasks.

European ministers make first visit to post-Assad Syria

European ministers make first visit to post-Assad Syria

Germany's Annalena Baerbock and France's Jean-Noel Barrot want to forge a new relationship between Syria and the EU.
PoliticsJanuary 3, 202502:32 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Bar owner Kifah Zainie is seen here standing close to woman at his bar in Damascus

Damascus bars dare to reopen after fall of Assad

Despite fears the future could see an end to personal freedom, some barkeeps have risked reopening their establishments.
SocietyDecember 31, 202403:44 min
This picture shows a monument depicting Syria's late president Hafez al-Assad that was covered with an independence-era flag on a highway at the entrance in Damascus on December 21, 2024.

Syria's Alawite community: Once feared, now living in fear?

Ousted dictator Bashar Assad used the fears and desires of this secretive religious minority to stay in power.
PoliticsDecember 28, 2024
People sitting outside at a long table, having a break

Israel plans to expand Golan Heights settlements

The Israeli government has approved plans to double the population of Israeli settlers in the occupied Golan Heights.
ConflictsDecember 26, 202402:53 min
Car repair shop owner Ghais Dayob behind a desk in his office

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.
BusinessDecember 23, 202403:00 min
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.
PoliticsDecember 18, 202402:38 min
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?
ConflictsDecember 18, 2024
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