The al-Assad Family
A father-son dictatorship that ruled Syria for over 50 years until the son was overthrown in a rebel offensive in December 2024.
Hafez al-Assad
Politician, Military Officer · b. 1930–2000
Air force general who seized power in a 1970 coup and ruled Syria as an authoritarian president for three decades, establishing his family's dynastic control.
Notable Works
- President of Syria (1971–2000)
Bashar al-Assad
Politician · b. 1965
Hafez's son, trained as an ophthalmologist before being groomed as successor after his brother's death; ruled Syria through a brutal civil w…
Notable Works
- President of Syria (2000–2024)
Maher al-Assad
Military Commander · b. 1967
Hafez's son and Bashar's younger brother, commander of the Syrian Republican Guard and 4th Armoured Division, considered one of the most pow…
Notable Works
- Commander of the 4th Armoured Division
- Commander of the Republican Guard