Summary
A year ago, rebel forces in Syria turned the tide against President Bashar al-Assad. This change led to Ahmed al-Sharaa, an interim president with a controversial past, taking charge. Despite Bashar al-Assad being in exile, Syria continues to face serious issues as it tries to rebuild.
Key Facts
- Ahmed al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leads Syria as interim president.
- Bashar al-Assad is currently in exile in Russia.
- Syria remains heavily damaged from years of war, with many buildings destroyed.
- Al-Sharaa has support from Saudi Arabia and the U.S., where President Trump called him "a young attractive tough guy."
- There are ongoing tensions in northeast Syria with Kurds and in the south with Druze communities seeking autonomy.
- Al-Sharaa has a history linked to jihadist groups but has shifted to a more pragmatic approach for governing Syria.
- Rebel forces led by al-Sharaa quickly took control of cities, including Aleppo, changing the power dynamics in Syria.
