Bashar al-Assad to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Damascus
  • Last updated on

Syrian president created a stir on Friday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Assad fans. Speculation had been rife that the Syrian president will announce his retirement from politics, at age 60, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 14/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a political figure isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a political figure just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouBashar

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouBashar was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouBashar.”
— @DesireePlum, 13 Feb 2026
“Assad wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 13 Feb 2026

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