In the tumultuous political history of Syria, a grandiose and striking image emerges from the streets of Damascus, the beating heart of the country in the grip of devastating conflicts. A giant poster of President Bashar al-Assad, an omnipresent and controversial figure on the Syrian landscape for nearly a quarter of a century, stands with imperturbable determination. This man, who went from being an ophthalmologist to an authoritarian leader, has left his mark on Syria’s tormented destiny.
The announced flight of Bashar al-Assad, revealed by an NGO, raises a series of questions about the fate of the president who has managed to stay in power despite the torments of the civil war that has bloodied the country. His meteoric rise, which occurred in 2000 following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, was marked by a merciless repression of peaceful protest movements by the population. This repression gradually escalated into a deadly civil war, with the intervention of multiple local and international actors further complicating the situation.
Throughout decades of unchallenged rule, Bashar al-Assad has forged an image as a protector of minorities, facing a perceived threat of extremism and chaos. His political strategy has relied on strong alliances with Russia, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, providing him with crucial support in the most difficult times. His incredibly calm and confident style, even in the most difficult circumstances, has projected an image of steadfastness and unwavering determination.
However, behind this façade of stability lies a complex and often cruel reality. Accounts of arbitrary arrests, brutal repression, and widespread violence testify to a repressive and authoritarian regime, where any opponent is immediately stifled. Despite his early aspirations for reform, Bashar al-Assad chose the path of repression to maintain absolute power.
The tragic death of his older brother Bassel in 1994 sealed the fate of Bashar al-Assad, who had to abandon his studies to assume the reins of family power. His marriage to Asma, a Syrian-British woman whose fate was tragically altered by events, helped shape a contrasting image of the presidential couple. From “the Rose of the Desert” to a controversial figure, Asma embodies both the hope and disappointments of the Syrian people.
Despite the countless challenges and the immeasurable losses suffered by the Syrian population, Bashar al-Assad has managed to maintain power, but at what cost? The civil war that has ravaged the country, the deep divisions that tear it apart and the untold suffering endured by civilians have left an indelible mark on the Syrian landscape.
Thus, the imposing presence of President Bashar al-Assad’s poster in Damascus is a testament not only to his longevity in power, but also to the deep scars left by years of conflict. As Syria attempts to heal its wounds and rebuild, the specter of the past still haunts the country’s uncertain future.