The legacy of Assad’s father Hafez al-Assad
Hafez al-Assad, the architect of modern Syria, seized power in a coup on November 13, 1970. Hafez, an Alawite, rose to prominence as a commander in Syria at a time when the country was plagued by political instability and frequent coups. Minister of the Syrian Air Force and Defense. His divide-and-conquer strategy, which exploited Syria’s ethnic and religious divisions, helped consolidate his power. Hafez elevated the traditionally marginalized Alawite minority to key positions in the military and government, securing their loyalty and tightening his control.
Under his administration, Syria underwent significant political changes. The Alawite community, which makes up about 12 to 15 percent of Syria’s population, has become the Assad regime’s main support base. Part of this loyalty was due to the opportunities Hafez afforded the Alawites, particularly the military and security establishment.
Bashar al-Assad’s inherited rules
After Hafez died in 2000, his son Bashar, a relatively inexperienced ophthalmologist, became president. Initially, there were hopes that Bashar would introduce reforms, but those hopes quickly disappeared as he inherited his father’s authoritarian regime. Early attempts to replace his father’s allies with his own supporters isolated him from Syria’s rural population and further weakened state institutions.
Bashar’s consolidation of power included placing close aides such as his brother Maher and cousin Rami Makhlouf in key positions. Bashar’s rule brought economic growth, but also increased inequality, widespread poverty, and corruption. By the 2010s, dissatisfaction grew due to the country’s deteriorating economic situation, especially after a devastating drought forced many rural Syrians into cities.
Syrian civil war
Bashar al-Assad’s repressive tactics first became evident during his father’s brutal crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood in 1982 and continued when peaceful protests erupted in Syria in 2011. The government’s violent response to these protests escalated into a full-scale civil war. With support from Russia, Iran, and Iranian-backed militias, the Assad regime has regained control of many major cities. However, large parts of the country remain outside of government control, and the conflict has claimed more than 500,000 lives and displaced millions. The Syrian war, which began as a pro-democracy movement, has involved many regional and world powers. Despite Assad’s efforts to maintain power, large areas remain under rebel control and the country remains deeply divided.
Who are the Syrian rebels?
Among the rebel forces, groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which evolved from Jabhat al-Nusra, played an important role. HTS was initially affiliated with al-Qaeda, but severed ties with the terrorist organization in 2016. Nevertheless, many international organizations still consider HTS to be an al-Qaeda affiliate. This alliance with jihadist groups draws in various global actors and complicates the conflict.
