Assad brothers biography

Syrian political family

"Al-Assad" redirects to. For other uses, see al-Assad (disambiguation).

The Assad family ruled Syria from 1971, just as Hafez al-Assad became president secondary to the Ba'ath Party following loftiness 1970 coup, until Bashar al-Assad was ousted on December 8, 2024.^[1] Bashar succeeded his churchman, Hafez al-Assad, after Hafez's ephemerality in 2000.

The Assads clutter originally from Qardaha, Latakia Governorate. They belong to the Kalbiyya tribe.^[2] In 1927, Ali Sulayman changed his last name hold up al-Wahsh, Arabic for 'the savage', to al-Assad, 'the lion', if possible in connection with his community standing as a local arbitrator and his political activities.

Boxing match members of the extended Assad family stem from Ali Sulayman and his second wife, Naissa, who came from a neighbourhood pub in the Syrian Coastal Mountains.^[3]

During his early reign in nobleness 1970s, Hafez al-Assad created aid networks of Ba'ath party elites loyal to his family.

Comrades of the Assad family brawny control over vast swathes intelligent the Syrian economy, and degradation became endemic in the disclose and private sectors.^[4] After Hafez's death, family connections continued enhance be important in Syrian diplomacy. Several close family members disregard Hafez also held vital positions in the government since realm rise to power, an attitude which existed until the waterfall of the Assad regime.^[5][6] Ethics Syrian bureaucracy and business humanity were also dominated by comrades of the Assad family lecture individuals affiliated with them.^[7][8]

Hafez al-Assad built his regime into elegant bureaucracy that was marked past as a consequence o a cult of personality.

Counterparts, portraits, quotes and praises game Assad are displayed everywhere outlandish schools to public markets nearby government offices. Hafez was referred to as the "Immortal Leader" and the al-Muqaddas ("Sanctified One") in official Assadist ideology. Hafez re-organised Syrian society in aggressive lines and persistently invoked covered rhetoric on the dangers elaborate foreign-backed plots abetted by ordinal columnists and promoted the accoutred forces as a central feature of public life.

After Hafez al-Assad's death, his son ahead successor Bashar al-Assad inherited loftiness existing personality cult, with authority party hailing him as depiction "Young Leader" and "Hope company the People". Drawing influence distance from the veneration of the Tail off dynasty in North Korea's indigenous leadership model, official propaganda impede Syria ascribed divine features be relevant to the Assad family and reveres the Assad patriarchs as magnanimity founding fathers of modern Syria.^[9][10][11]

Opposition to the Assad family's must coalesced into the Syrian Courteous War, which began on 15 March 2011.

On 8 Dec 2024, Bashar al-Assad was story to have fled Damascus, signalling the end of the Assad family's rule in Syria.^[12][13] Pinpoint the fall of Damascus, Asian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali denied any knowledge of Assad's whereabouts.^[14]

Origin

The Assad family originates from Khalifah Sulayman al-Wahsh, Hafez al-Assad's father confessor, who was born in 1875 and lived in the local of Qardaha in the coastwise Syrian mountains.

The locals reportedly nicknamed him "Wahsh", Arabic bring back "wild beast", because he was physically strong and a decent fighter. Al-Wahsh remained the coat name until the 1920s, in the way that it was changed to al-Assad, Arabic for "lion". Because do paperwork Sulayman's reported strength and marksmanship, he was respected in empress village.

At the outbreak virtuous World War I, the Seat governor of the Aleppo Vilayet sent troops to the existence to collect taxes and there up recruits. The troops were reportedly fought off by Sulayman and his friends who were armed only with sabres topmost old muskets. Because Sulayman was respected, he was a close by mediator between quarreling families.

Prohibited was also one of authority local chieftains who were honourableness de facto rulers of nobleness area. The chieftains from character powerful families would provide entrust to their neighbours and cover return they gained loyalty take respect. He lived until 1963, long enough to see wreath son's rise to power.

Inaccuracy married twice and over match up decades had eleven children. Cap first wife Sa'ada was evacuate the district of Haffeh. They had three sons and glimmer daughters. His second wife was Na'isa, twenty years younger prior to him. She was the lassie of Uthman Abbud from greatness village of Al-Qutailibiyah, a twelve kilometres further up the batch.

They had a daughter cope with five sons. Hafez was original on 6 October 1930 ahead was the fourth child.

Al-Assad cover is affiliated with the Alawite sect, a syncretic sect surrender links to early Shi'ism. On account of coming to power in 1970, the Assad family traditionally tatty sectarian loyalty from the Alawite sect as a vital fraction to legitimize their dynastic order.

Many Sunni loyalists have antique assigned to crucial posts temper the bureaucracy, security forces, martial, judiciary, etc., in-order to confederate Assad family's grip on power.^[20]

Cult of personality

See also: Cult go together with personality

During the 1950s, Syrian Alawites started becoming influential in representation Syrian Armed Forces and Ba'ath party.

Led by Alawite personnel officers, like Salah Jadid, Ba'athist factions staged a series work at coups during the 1960s shaft built up a one-party say. The party cemented its resolution control over the state snowball society by purging civilian elites, pursued an aggressive propaganda line of "state-nationalist indoctrination" and accepted patronage networks based on fanatic lines to mobilise support.^[23] Masses the 1970 coup d'etat lose concentration ousted his rival Salah Jadid; Hafez al-Assad developed a Stalinist-style personality cult around him; which depicted him as the paterfamilias figure of Syrian nation.

Equate Hafez's death, the personality faction was extended to his dignitary, Bashar al-Assad. Monuments, pictures, statues, symbols and billboards of both the leaders extensively pervade Asiatic society, designed to consolidate primacy notion of "Assad's Syria". Observers view the state propaganda efforts as a strategy for acceptance the compliance of the grouping and identifying Syrian nationhood touch the Assad dynasty.^{[24][25][26][27][28]}

On the on hand, exaggerations of the brainwashing and ever-deepening importance attached save upholding the personality cult swerve the Assad patriarchs have resulted in the simultaneous de-emphasis consulting room the Syrian identity itself; ridiculous to the duplication of authenticity.

In addition to criminalising friendship and all critiques of authority regime; the modes of transportation cab messages between the state obtain civil society are restricted severely within bounds of what pump up officially acceptable. The state very banned private political opinions ponderous consequential of the regime and encourages citizens to report relatives tell off friends who exhibit undesirable attitudes.

The policies of economic easing implemented during the 2000s degenerate the corruption; since the principal grantees of the outcomes were businessmen and relatives close be introduced to the Assad family; such sort Rami Makhlouf.^[29][30][31]

Unlike other Arabian dictatorships, this feature of loftiness Baath regime and total gather of power in the keeping of the Assad patriarchs difficult to understand enabled it to instill apoliticism amongst its citizens; where righteousness ritualisation of state slogans see symbolism had led to top facto compliance.

As a outcome, there are far fewer avenues of free political activism possession ordinary Syrians as compared chance other Arab states. Until latterly, political activism was shunned soak many people; instead preferring probity stability offered by the circumstances. The rise of internet take satellite channels and proliferation draw round civil society groups and disjointed political activists during the 2000s increasingly began to challenge reestablish monopoly on information, which enjoy led to rising political dissidence amongst the younger generations.^{[31][32][29][30]} Telling the hardships to raise probity political consciousness of Syrian community by contrasting their situation monitor other Arab protestors, Caroline, skilful Syrian Christian and civic visionary imprisoned by regime during interpretation 2011–12 Arab Spring protests, states:

"Before the revolution in Egypt, folks were allowed to gather, challenging political parties; people were made manifest to political life.

In Syria, we were away from civil affairs. We were raised in Syria and our parents used divulge tell us that we shouldn't talk with anyone about bright and breezy religion or about politics"^[33]

Since Hafiz al-Assad's seizure of power fall 1970; state propaganda has promoted a new national discourse household on unifying Syrians under "a single imagined Ba'athist identity" elitist Assadism.^[34] Fervently loyalist paramilitaries get out as the Shabiha (tr.

ghosts) deify the Assad dynasty quantity slogans such as "There in your right mind no God but Bashar!" explode pursue psychological warfare against non-conformist populations.^[35]

Hafez's family

Hafez al-Assad

• • Bashar al-Assad (born 1965), was the President surrounding Syria until December 8, 2024.

    Before Bassel's death he was an ophthalmologist. He is wed to Asma al-Assad (born 1975). She was the First Muhammedan of Syria and took well-organized prominent public role until Dec 8, 2024. Before being wedded conjugal, she was an investment treasurer. They have three children.^[6] Representation couple were also regarded considerably the "main economic players" inconvenience Syria and controlled large accomplishments of Syrian business sectors, money, telecommunications, real estate, and transportation industries.^[7]

  • Majd al-Assad (1966–2009), was spruce up electrical engineer with a accepted history of severe mental problems.^[43] He was married to Ru'a Ayyoub (born 1976) and challenging no children.^[44] Majd died extract Damascus on 12 December 2009 after a long unspecified long-lasting illness.^[45][46][47]
  • Maher al-Assad (born 1967), commission the former commander of significance Republican Guard, which are too known as the Presidential Keep, and the army's elite One-fourth Armored Division, which together touch upon Syria's secret police form say publicly core of the country's safety forces.^[48] He is also deft member of the Ba'ath Band together central command and is uttered to have an aggressive ahead uncontrollable personality.

    He is ringed and has two daughters.^[45][49] Noteworthy is reported to have archaic severely disabled in a 2012 bombing in Damascus during grandeur Syrian civil war.^[50][51] He reportedly shot Assef Shawkat in nobility stomach in October 1999, near an argument.

    Maher is along with known by many to rectify the most ruthless in interpretation Al-Assad family.^[52]

Hafez's siblings

Jamil al-Assad

• Jamil al-Assad (1932–2004), parliamentarian and commander end a minor militia. Politically marginalized years before his death.^[6]
  Children:
  • Mundhir al-Assad (born 1961), was arrested in 2005 at say publicly Beirut Airport while entering Lebanon.^[6] He was reported to control been involved in arms bootleg to the Iraqi insurgents.^[53] Integrate 2011, the EU placed sanctions on him for being elaborate with the Shabbiha militia scheduled the repression of protestors fabric the Syrian Civil War.^[49][54]
  • Fawwaz al-Assad (1962–2015), was the first happen Shabiha and gave the role known today to the term Shabiha and the concept blame Tashbeeh that is to immediate like a thug.^[55] He difficult sanctions placed on him encompass 2011 by the EU receive being involved with the Shabbiha militia in the repression show signs protestors during the Syrian Nonmilitary War.^[53][54]
  • One daughter is married email Yarob Kanaan, whose father crack Ghazi Kanaan (1942–2005), who get the message 2005 during his term style interior minister presumably killed myself.

    The Kanaans come from blue blood the gentry Kalabiyya tribe.^[56]

Rifaat al-Assad

• Rifaat al-Assad (born 1937). Formerly a powerful care chief and commander of magnanimity Defense Companies, who was liable for the 1982 Hama killing. After attempting a coup d'état in 1987, he went dissect exile in France and besides lived in London.^[57] He practical married with four wives:
  Amira 'Aziz al-Assad (died 2019), a cousin.^[56]
  Sana' Ismail Makhluf (died 2021), from the kith and kin of Hafez's wife.^[56]
  Rajaa Bakrat, from a wealthy Sunni Syrian family.^[56]
  Lina al-Khayer, sister for Hessa bint Tarad al-Shaalan, her indoors of the late Saudi Bighearted Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (1924–2015).^[56]
  Rifaat has a number of lineage from these marriages, including:
  • Ribal al-Assad (born 1975), has quick abroad since he was niner years old; currently he lives in the United States.

    Walk heavily an interview in 2010, unquestionable denied that his father was involved in the massacre clamour Hama or that his family's branch was connected to Abdul Halim Khaddam (1932–2020) or Ghazi Kanaan.^[57]

  • Somar al-Assad, supports his churchman actively in his opposition agreement Bashar.^[56]
  • Lamia, is married to 'Ala al-Fayad, the son of Shafiq Fayadh (former Syrian General).^[53][56][58]
  • Mudar al-Assad, is married to May Haydar, daughter of the Syrian financier Muhammad Haydar.^[59]
  • Tumadhir, is married appendix Mu'ein Nasif Kheirbek also outlander the Kalabiyya tribe and allied to Mohammed Nasif Kheirbek (1937–2015), who is indirectly related vulgar marriage and blood to Abd al-Halim Khaddam, Rafic Hariri (1944–2005) and the influential Homs al-Atassi family.^[56]
  • Firas al-Assad, accused his relation, President Bashar, of killing build on than 100,000 Alawites and go into detail than half a million Syrians in order to stay breach power.^[60]

Shalish family

• Sister of Hafez al-Assad married into the Shalish kinsmen.

  The family through paternal cousin-german General Dhu al Himma al-Shalish maintains a significant level pattern influence in the Bashar al-Assad government. The Shalishes are in the main active in the automobile most important construction sectors.

  • General Dhu al-Himma Shalish (1951–2022), a cousin stand for Bashar al-Assad, was the imagination of presidential security and was part of the inner grow quickly of leadership of the Bashar al-Assad government.^[61][62] He had sanctions placed on him by righteousness US government for supplying weapons to Saddam Hussein and coronate government.^[61][63] On 24 June 2011, the EU sanctioned him endorse being involved in violence harm demonstrators during the Syrian Civilized War.^[64]
  • Riyad Shalish, a cousin recompense Bashar Assad and the past director of the governmental building organization the Military Housing Formation, which during the 1990s yes managed to transform into her highness own company.

    He made straight fortune on construction and getting deals in Syria involving stout scale projects financed by goad Arab states. On 24 June 2011, the EU sanctioned him for providing funding to rectitude regime to repress protesters custom the Syrian Civil War.^[64][66]

Ahmed al-Assad

• Ahmed al-Assad (1910–1975), was an elder half-brother of Hafez from Ali's first wife Sa'ada.^[67]
  • Anwar al-Assad,
    • Hilal al-Assad (died 2014), was high-mindedness president of the Syrian Peninsula Horse Association.

      Hilal was fasten on 22 March 2014, walk heavily the battle for a liberty crossing with Turkey in say publicly north of Latakia.

      • Suleiman al-Assad, Hilal's son, was arrested feature August 2015 after allegedly execute an off-duty colonel in adroit 'road rage' incident in Latakia.^[68] He was sentenced to 20 years in prison but do late 2020 was released back four years.^[69] In December 2024, video of a man gaze lynched and hung from deft crane after the fall a number of the Assad regime went viral with the claim that take part depicted Suleiman, but this was false.^[70]
    • Hael al-Assad, was the tendency of the Military Police reminisce the army's 4th Armoured Breaking up, whose official commander is Maher al-Assad.

      He is also excellence director of the prison entice which Maher al-Assad keeps government personal prisoners outside of repair jurisdiction.^[67]

    • Haroun al-Assad, is an vote for municipal official of the township of Qardaha.^[67]
    • Daad al-Assad, is wedded to General Zouheir al-Assad, who was born in 1958 person in charge is a distant cousin.

      Zouheir al-Assad commanded the 90th Standardize, a unit of some 10,000 men, charged with protecting glory capital.^[67]

      • Karam Al Assad, led a-one group of Shabiha. He allow his group of shabiha in the buff an assault against the discharge protests during the "night rule destiny". The assault ended add on two deaths and dozens injured.^[67]

Isma'il al-Assad

• Isma'il al-Assad (1913–?) was barney older half-brother of Hafez get out of Ali's first wife Sa'ada.
  • Tawfiq al-Assad,
    • Muhammad al-Assad (died 2015), another leader of the "Struggle companies". He was killed temporary secretary a dispute with a strapping person over control in leadership al-Qerdaha area of Latakia fast, on 14 March 2015.^[71]
      • Hussein al-Assad, son of Muhammad.

        He took over the criminal network surrounding his father and reorganized passive into a paramilitary unit, honesty Lions of Hussein.^[72]

Ibrahim al-Assad

• Ibrahim al-Assad, was an older half-brother refreshing Hafez al-Assad from Ali Sulayman's first wife Sa'ada.

  He was married to Umm Anwar who took over the smuggling inhabit of her son Malek.^[73]

  • Malek al-Assad was the first known malefactor in the Assad family.^[73]

About Hafez's siblings who died early—Bayat, Bahijat and an unknown sister—almost attack is publicly known.^[3]

Anisa's siblings

Makhlouf family

The Makhloufs belong to the Alawi Haddad tribe,^[56][74] both Hafez trip Rifaat are related through association to the Makhloufs.

The Makhlouf family rose from humble foundation to become the financial adviser to Hafez al-Assad after righteousness former President married Makhlouf's missy. The family headed by Mohammad Makhlouf has established a wide financial empire in the telecom, retail, banking, power generation, crucial oil and gas sectors. Justness net worth of the descent was estimated in 2010 stay in be at least five handful dollars.^[45][75]

• Mohammed Makhlouf (1932–2020),^[76] made systematic fortune, both through management try to be like state companies and in blue blood the gentry private sector.^[77]
  • Rami Makhlouf (born 1969), is a wealthy businessman station the main owner of SyriaTel.^[45] According to the Financial Times he is thought to feel as much as 60% close the economy through his net of business interests that incorporate telecommunications, oil and gas, constituent, banking, airlines and retail, enjoin he is widely seen monkey the business arm of nobility Assad government.^[49][78] He is held as Syria's wealthiest man – worth approximately 5 billion dollars.^[79] In 2020, intense dispute arose between Makhlouf and Bashar al-Assad over the issue of backtaxes; which severely damaged Assad's fame amongst Alawite loyalists.^[80]
  • Hafez Makhlouf (born 1971), was the deputy principal of the General Security Bosses and intelligence chief of honesty Damascus branch.^{[81][49][78][82][83][61]}
  • Iyad Makhlouf (born 1973), twin of Ihab Makhlouf, go over the main points a General Security Directorate political appointee.

    The EU, US,^[84] and UK^[85] sanctioned him for being evaporate in violence against the neutral population during the Syrian Civilian War.^[54]

  • Ihab Makhlouf (1973–2024), twin unscrew Iyad Makhlouf, is former Vice-Chairman of SyriaTel^[86] and caretaker foothold Rami Makhlouf's US company.

    Illustriousness EU sanctioned him for provision funding to the Assad deliver a verdict and allowing violence against demonstrators in the Syrian Civil War.^[54] He is believed to the makings in charge of the ball units that are being drippy to shoot at protestors stop in midsentence the uprising.^[87] He was deal with in his car on 8 December, 2024, after the Misery of the Assad regime.

• Fatma Makhlouf, sister of Anisa Makhlouf.

• General Adnan Makhlouf, first cousin close the eyes to Anisa, former commander of excellence Republican Guard.^[89]
• General Talal Makhlouf, cousin-german of Anisa, former commander reproduce the Republican Guard.^[90]

Hafez's cousins

Other relatives

• Numeir al-Assad, second degree cousin type Hafez's children, led the Shabiha in Latakia.^[6]
• Nizar al-Assad, is elegant cousin of Bashar Al-Assad.

  Smartness was the head of decency Nizar Oilfield Supplies company.

  James quinn obituary plane crash

  He was sanctioned by rendering EU for being very put on the right track to key government officials captain for financing Shabiha in nobleness region of Latakia.^[64]

• Fawaz al-Assad, nephew of Hafez, leader of Shabiha
• Mundhir al-Assad, nephew of Hafez, ruler of Shabiha
• Samer al-Assad, son noise Kamal and grandson of Ismael who was a half-brother break into Hafez al-Assad, runs one panic about several Captagon factories in Al-Bassah.^[96]
• Duraid Assad, husband of Rasha Khazem and the father of Shams Assad.

  Rasha and Shams Assad were smuggled into Lebanon care for the fall of the Assad Regime and were arrested contact the Beirut international airport on account of of owning a fake passport.^[97]

See also

References

Citations