Syrians Commemorate One Year Since Assad’s Presidency Ended

Image source, Reuters

Bashar al-Assad’s ousting from power came as a surprise to
the world, as city after city fell to advancing rebel forces.

Since coming into power in 2000, Assad had ruled over Syria
with an iron fist, much like his father, Hafez, did before his death.

In 2011, a civil war ravaged the country after his violent
clampdown on peaceful protests, leaving millions of refugees scattered across
the globe.

But after a decade of unrest, he lost his grasp of power in
a rapid uprising.

Led by militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebels
first seized Aleppo, the country’s second largest city, with very little
resistance. Next it was Hama, and days later it was the vital hub of Homs.

As news of their progress spread, allied rebels also started
an uprising from the country’s east and south – their offensive from all sides
isolated the capital, Damascus.

The fallen leader and his family fled to Russia – an allied nation of his regime – where they
remain today.

In our next post, we’ll take a closer look at the days leading up to Assad’s fall.