Rifaat al-Assad, Paramilitary Leader and ‘Butcher of Hama,’ Dies at 88

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Adam NossiterJanuary 22, 2026 at 01:28 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Rifaat al-Assad, brother of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and uncle of current President Bashar al-Assad, died on Monday at the age of 88 in Dubai. He was a key figure in the Syrian regime for over 50 years. As commander of the paramilitary Defense Forces, he led the suppression of a 1982 uprising in Hama, resulting in the deaths of up to 40,000 civilians. This event earned him the nickname "the butcher of Hama." The uprising was led by the Muslim Brotherhood against the ruling Ba'ath Party. While sometimes vying for power, Rifaat remained a part of the ruling family, even during his years in exile.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Dubai 30% Syrian Air Force 35% Siwar al-Assad 40% Defense Forces 45% Bashar al-Assad 50% Ba'ath Party 50% Muslim Brotherhood 60% Hama ×480% Hafez al-Assad ×385% Syria ×390% Rifaat al-Assad ×595%

Keywords

rifaat al-assad 100% hama massacre 90% syria 90% paramilitary leader 80% hafez al-assad 70% uprising 70% exile 50% bashar al-assad 50% political violence 40%