'IRON FIST' FAILED TO CRUSH REBELS

Syria's ousted Prez depended on Russia, Iran, Turkiye; never fully controlled the entire country

Syria's Bashar al-Assad, leveraging Russian and Iranian firepower during the civil war, managed to push back rebel forces but failed to decisively defeat them. This vulnerability ultimately led to his downfall. After 24 years in power, Assad fled Damascus early Sunday, marking the end of half a century of Assad family rule. Rebel-held cities saw statues of Assad's family toppled, and his portraits destroyed or defaced. Assad's leadership began unexpectedly after his elder brother's death. An ophthalmologist in London, Bashar was recalled to Syria, underwent military training, and was swiftly promoted to colonel. Following the death of his father, Hafez Assad, in 2000, parliament lowered the presidential age limit, enabling the 34-year-old to assume power via a referendum where he was the sole candidate.