The United States, Jordan, Turkey and the European Union at the war’s start all called for Assad to step down.
Testament to the horror of that regime were scenes of jubilant celebration as rebel forces took control of Syrian cities.
Bashar al-Assad, center, is seen during the closing session of the ruling Baath party congress in Damascus, Syria, on June 20, 2000.
Bashar al-Assad was then thrust into the national spotlight and studied military science, later becoming a colonel in the Syrian army.
They then turned to outright condemnation of the regime after he met the 2011 pro-democracy groundswell with brutal force.
Persons:
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Organizations:
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Locations:
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