1. Medical Background: Bashar al-Assad studied medicine at Damascus University and specialized in ophthalmology in the UK.
2. Unexpected Politician: He entered politics after the death of his elder brother, Basil, the initial heir to Syria’s leadership.
3. Presidency: Assumed power in 2000 after his father, Hafez al-Assad, passed away.
4. Tech Enthusiast: Assad has shown interest in modernizing Syria’s tech and internet infrastructure.
5. Languages: Fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
6. Military Training: Received military training and became a lieutenant colonel in 1994.
7. Family Influence: His family, part of the Alawite minority, has dominated Syrian politics for decades.
8. Economic Reforms: Initiated economic reforms early in his presidency, though later faced criticism for policies.
9. Syrian Civil War: Became globally known as an Arabic Hitler during the civil war, which started in 2011.
10. Controversial Figure: Viewed as a stabilizer by some and an authoritarian ruler by others.
Latest News about Bashar
Recently, Bashar al-Assad reportedly fled Syria, possibly to Abu Dhabi, as opposition forces, backed by various groups, seized control of Damascus and other key areas. His departure signals a significant shift in the power dynamics of the region, although official confirmation from his office is pending.