Syria's Six Presidents: A Historical Overview from Independence to 2024
In this report, we glance through a timeline of Syria's past presidents.
Dec. 10, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Only six figures have held Syria's presidency in its modern history, with most taking power through military coup d’etat.
In this report, we glance through a timeline of Syria's past presidents:
Shukri al-Quwatli (10 years in power) Syria's first president following its independence, was born in Damascus in 1891.
He was a major figure in Syria's national movement and led the anti-colonialist movement in Syria.
He entered into Syrian politics in the 1930s and was a member of the National Bloc, an Arab anti-colonial group opposing French rule in Syria.
He took leadership of the National Bloc in 1940. served two terms. His first term of presidency ended with Husni al-Za'im's 1949 coup d’etat, but he regained power in 1955.
In 1958, he surrendered his position to Gamal Abdel Nasser following Syria's unity declaration with Iraq and Egypt.
Adib Shishakli (230 days in power) A military commander born in Hama in 1909, coordinated five coups in Syria.
Became president in 1953, and established a single-party system, but quit his office due to strong opposition.
Later assassinated in Brazil in 1964.
Amin al-Hafiz (3 years in power) A military figure and another major Ba'ath Party symbol, was born in Aleppo in 1921.
Partook in the 1963 military coup that brought the Ba'ath Party to power in Syria. Removed in a 1966 coup, arrested, and later exiled.
Nureddin al-Atassi (4 years in power) A doctor and politician born in Homs in 1929, led the Ba'ath Party's left wing.
He came to power after Salah Jadid's coup.
He was later removed by Hafez al-Assad's "Corrective Movement" coup and was kept imprisoned until his death in 1992.
Hafez al-Assad (29 years in power) A Ba'athist officer born in Qardaha in 1930, held Syria's longest presidency.
Took power in a 1970 coup and established a security state based on intelligence services.
He died in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of brutal and ruthless rule to his successor and son, Bashar al-Assad.
Bashar al-Assad (24 years in power) was Born in Damascus in 1966, and trained as an ophthalmologist in Britain.
He came to power following his father's death in 2000.
He amended the Constitution multiple times to maintain power.
His regime fell in December 2024 after a 13-year nationwide uprising and brutal civil war, leading to his and his family's departure from Syria.