Syrian president in spotlight after deadly attacks
By Unknown - Thursday, July 19, 2012
- Al-Assad grew up in the shadow of his father, the late president Hafez al-Assad
- His father ruled with iron fist, jailing some dissidents and marginalizing others
- His son, Bashar, enjoyed rare privileges and education as he studied abroad
- But those in Europe and the U.S. initially seemed heartened by the incoming president
With the deaths of three top Syrian officials, questions arose Wednesday as to whether the Damascus attack marks a turning point in the presidency of Bashar al-Assad.
As the crisis unfolded, experts looked beyond the day's events to the roots of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's power for insights into the 16-month rebellion that grips the Middle Eastern nation.
Al-Assad grew up in the shadow of his father, President Hafez al-Assad, a Soviet ally who ruled Syria for three decades and helped propel a minority Alawite population to key political, social and military posts.
By most accounts, the elder al-Assad governed with an iron fist, forging a police state that quashed opposition by jailing dissidents and marginalizing other political groups.
Hafez al-Assad was born into a poor family and graduated from Ḥomṣ Military Academy as an air force pilot, before rising in Baath Party leadership and gaining power in the "Corrective Revolution" of 1970.
His son, Bashar, enjoyed rare privileges and education as he studied abroad, while his older son, Bassel, was the man groomed to succeed him and assume power.
Follow Maganga Media on Twitter, Feel free to like and comment Facebook. Stay updated via RSS
ANDIKA MAONI YAKO KUHUSU HABARI HII
