Bashar al-Assad’s shirtless pictures go viral after rebels stormed his villas

Several photos of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – some even half-naked – have gone viral, offering a stark contrast to a family that once ruled a country with an iron fist. Assad, who ruled Syria for 25 years, fled to Russia as rebels captured several Syrian cities and the capital Damascus a week ago. The images were found in Assad’s albums, which were discovered by rebels who broke into his palatial homes in Damascus and Aleppo.

One of the images showed a shirtless Assad posing with a camera – presumably taking a selfie – and another of him riding a scooter in his underwear. Another showed him flexing his biceps in a speedo.

In one of the photos, 59-year-old Assad can be seen with a woman on his shoulders, while in another he is putting a ring on his wife’s finger.

The collection also included a picture of his father Hafez al-Assad – who ruled Syria until his death in 2000 – posing in his underwear.

A few more Assad pictures so you can have endless nightmares for days https://t.co/1v9kim6Sxy pic.twitter.com/wgRuFGnz3C

— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) December 12, 2024

The images also sparked ridicule from a leader criticized for his autocratic nature. Saad Abedine, a journalist at Al Jazeera, shared some of these photos on X and said they would cause “endless nightmares in the days to come.”

Syrian journalist Hussam Hammoud criticized the public “fantasy” over such personal photos of the ousted leader.

What about that #Assad Family and being photographed in underwear? I’m very interested to know the fantasy behind it.

Two pictures of Hafez and Bashar al-Assad in their fashionable underpants were found in the presidential palace. pic.twitter.com/GYxq5AuMZU

—Hussam Hammoud | حسام (@HussamHamoud) December 10, 2024

“What about the #Assad family and taking photos in underwear? I’m very interested to know the fantasy behind it. Two pictures of Hafez and Bashar Assad in their fashionable underpants were found in the presidential palace,” Mr Hammoud said.

Assad’s villas in Aleppo and Damascus were stripped of their valuables by the rebels, in a war-torn country where since the civil war began in 2011, the meaning of luxury has been limited to simply surviving another day.