As the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remain unclear after his flight vanished off the map, Syrian rebels and their supporters are celebrating the end of a 24-year authoritarian rule. The Assad family ruled the country with iron fist, with the support of Tehran and Moscow.
Who are Bashar al-Assad's family members?
Asma Assad
Bashar's wife Asma Assad reportedly exerts significant influence on Syria's economic committee, which decides on the currency policy, food and fuel subsidies and trade. She founded the Syria Trust for Development in 2001 and funds charity and humanitarian initiatives in the country.
Maher al-Assad
Bashar's younger Maher al-Assad led the country's Republican Guard and had close ties with Tehran. The 56-year-old also commands te Fourth Armoured Division, which was held responsible for human rights abuses by the US.
He is suspected of the 2005 assassinations of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Maher had also invested in contracting, IT and energy sectors.
Bushra al-Assad
Though a pharmacist, Bashar's older sister Bushra al-Assad is known for her role as the ousted president's secretary. She is the widow of Assef Shawkat, the deputy chief of staff of the Syrian Armed Forces and the former chief of Syrian Military Intelligence.
Bushra had a fallout with Bashar over his handling of the Syrian civil war and has been living in Dubai with her children since 2012.
Rami Makhlouf
Rami Makhlouf, who is among the wealthiest Syrians, is the son of Bashar's maternal uncle Mohammed Makhlouf. Once said to control a sizeable share of the Syrian economy, the US has accused Rami of aiding public corruption of Syrian officials.
Rami had a dispute with Bashar in 2020, following which he was held under house arrest in Latakia.
Ihab Makhlouf
Ihab Makhlouf, who is the younger brother of Rami Makhlouf, was sanctioned by the US government for giving financial, technological and material support to Rami in 2017. The Assad regime granted Ihab monopoly rights to duty-free markets, allowing him to exert more influence in managing Makhlouf family assets. In May 2020, Ihab stepped down as vice chairman of Syriatel, when he backed Bashar and blamed his brother Rami for the firm's crisis.
Anisa Makhlouf
Hafez al-Assad's wife and Bashar's mother Anisa Makhlouf reportedly had a significant influence on the family, wielding enough power to decide on the ousted regime's strategies.
