Indeed, one of the most dominant in time among, and the lone most controversial, monarchies in modern Middle Eastern history is that of the Assads in Syria. Initiating with Hafez al-Assad’s rise to power in the year of 1970 followed then by his son Bashar al-Assad taking office in 2000, the dynasty has continued to hold an iron grip over Syria for more than five decades, however, such a long rule has been characterized by repression, human rights violation, and brutal crackdown on opposition and the haunting legacy of which tenaciously marks the lives of the Syrians.
In this article, one looks at the “dark history” of the Assad lineage and examines “oppressive” means through which the family succeeded in controlling Syria, as well as the implications of their regime on its citizenry.
Hafez al-Assad: The Rise of an Autocrat
A former air force officer, Hafez al-Assad, led a bloodless coup in Syria in 1970, which is usually referred to as the “Corrective Movement.” He came to power when Syria had become something of a political mess itself, full of coups in rapid succession, betraying coalitions, and absent national cohesiveness. He sold himself as the stabilizer promising order and unity. But the reality turned out to be much different from those promises.
Hafez al-Assad rapidly consolidated the powers through eliminating all possible rivals both in the army, intelligence services, and political elite. He created a huge personality cult around himself, identifying himself as the savior of Syria and its people, under his rule Syria was one-party state with Ba’ath, which he headed, controlling every aspect of political life. Assad ruled with an iron hand using army and secret police and even surveillance systems to do so.
Oppression of Political Opposition
Assad’s regime had a hardhearted attitude towards dissenters in general. Political oppressors-whether secular activist, radical Islamist, or other political group-harshly scorned opposition. One of the major and nationally known accidents of this rule occurred in 1982, during the Hama Massacre itself. A Muslim Brotherhood-inspired uprising in the city of Hama resulted in an ugly military onslaught by the Assad forces, an event that would go on to claim thousands of lives, all above direct medical shooting. Estimates on the number of deaths differ widely, but they generally say that between 10,000 to 40,000 people died in that attack.
Of course, this Hama Massacre was a demonstration of the power of such overwhelming force by which Assad indicated that such force would be used against even the most minor challenge to his authority. This would be the very start of a cycle whereby opposition—however peaceful—would, henceforth, be met by violent, forceful repression.
The Cult of Personality
For the total control, Hafez al-Assad was able to mold a very massive personality cult and, at least to make a State propaganda whereby the image is that of the one who united the Syrian people. He was portrayed excessively by state-controlled media to glorify his leadership with images in major public spaces throughout the country. He ensured that his family, particularly his son, was also lined in as the future of Syria to popularize so-called dynastical succession, previously never seen in Syrian politics.
As Syria became more authoritarian, dissent became not only a political crime but also a cultural taboo. The regime invested much in surveillance, censorship, and intimidation in an attempt to control the nation’s narrative. It was necessary to harm those who dared criticize the Asad family or its policies by imprisoning and torturing them-or by merely putting them to death.
Bashar al-Assad-The Continuation of Tyranny
Bashar became the president in the year 2000 after the death of Hafez al-Assad; he became the first president to lead that very well-rooted autocracy. At first, there was the air of a new reformist leader, bringing promises of regeneration and modernization, but, later on, it turned out to be exactly the same as one of his father’s brutal repressive policies and maintaining the Assad family’s dominance over Syria.
The 2011 Uprising and the Syrian Civil War
Like his dad, Bashar al-Assad has an autocratic rule with political repression and human rights abuses, but in 2011, since the Arab Spring revolts moved through the region, Syrians took to demanding democratic reforms, civil liberties, and an end to corruption. The protests started peacefully because they were also clamoring for changes in the government and for an end to government corruption and more freedoms for the people.
In retaliation, there was pure violence from the regime against the peaceful protests. But instead of listening to the demands of the people, Bashar al-Assad ordered the military to open fire on protesters. Deaths of hundreds of civilians followed. What began as a peaceful uprising gradually became a very brutal civil war as government forces began widespread violence against their own people.
The Brutality of the Syrian Civil War
The Syrian Civil War’s Horrors Yet While it continues to rage, the Syrian Civil War has inflicted an unspeakable torment on the Syrian people. The brutal tactics of the Assad regime contained the conventional bombarding of military targets and the actual use of chemical weapons against civilians. Thousands of people, including children, were killed when concentrating sarin gas in Ghouta in 2013. This was an example of the violation of international law through the use of chemical weapons and led to international condemnation. But very little action was taken as a consequence to bring Assad to justice.
During the course of the civil war, the regime of Bashar al-Assad has relied very heavily on brutal weapons such as sieges set up against cities, mass detentions, torture, and execution of political opponents in order to enforce its will. The regime has used indiscriminate air bombardment against cities, killing civilians in great numbers and destroying property. Millions have fled their homes into other countries, while an untold number are sheltering within Syria as they face insecurity and yet another uncertainty.
Legacy of Rule by Assad Family
The legacy of the rule of the Assad family is best understood in terms of violence, repression, and total indifference to human life. The Assad family has bequeathed to Syria theatrical atrocities in their effort to stay in power, creating a massive trail of destruction and suffering for all. The separation of such events as the Hama Massacre, chemical attacks on civilians, and the current brutalities prevailing in the context of the Syrian Civil War leaves quite a considerable darkness in terms of defining the history of the Assad regime.
Despite widespread destruction and death, for Bashar al-Assad supported by powerful allies in the likes of Russia and Iran, he is holding power. These have made him survive despite the international pressure to step down.
Still, the Syrian people fight, while, under the overwhelming military superiority of the Assad regime, Syria grows deeper in cracks. While the crisis has spawned vast suffering, it has stirred debate across the world over the price of authoritarian rule, the space for human rights, and the accountability for war crimes.
The legacy is dark in conclusion
By the Assad regime’s span of brutal authoritarianism, dissent usually equates with death. From the Hama Massacre to the civil war that still continues, the pattern of violence and fear by the Assad family to suppress opposition and quell any such attempts has been consistent. Bashar al-Assad is still holding power; however, the marks left by decades of oppression will mold the Syria of the years to come.
The dark legacy of the rule of the Assad family, however, serves to remind the pompous threats posed by absolute power and the need to fight tooth and nail for human rights and justice. As the people of Syria continue to struggle, it is incumbent upon the international community to work to attach accountability to this and assist those still resisting the oppression so long marked by the Assad regime.