President Assad has ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly two decades. We take a look at his life and legacy. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad inherited power in July 2000, a month after his father, military strongman Hafez al-Assad died. But since March 2011, his rule over Syria has been under threat, with the country beset by violence that has killed an estimated 465,000 people and embroiled regional and world powers in the never-ending horror. Despite Western and Arab countries backing the opposition, Assad has survived seven years of war and refuses to step aside. Bashar Al Asaad with Frist Lady Asmaa Al Assad Early Life And Eduction Ruling family: Born on September 11, 1965, Bashar al-Assad is the second son of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, and his wife Anisa. His father, Hafez, rose to power through the Syrian military and the minority Alawite political party before taking contro...