Rifaat al-Assad, Notorious Syrian Figure Known as 'Butcher of Hama', Passes Away at 88
Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of the deposed Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad and a central figure in the Assad family's dynastic rule, has died at the age of 88. Sources close to the family confirmed his passing after a brief illness, marking the end of a life steeped in controversy and violence.
Infamous Role in the Hama Massacre
Rifaat al-Assad earned the chilling nickname 'Butcher of Hama' for his direct involvement in a brutal crackdown in February 1982. This campaign targeted an armed revolt by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood group in the city of Hama. Under the command of Rifaat, who led the elite Defence Brigades, government forces carried out a devastating suppression that lasted for 27 days.
The operation was conducted under a strict media blackout, and the exact death toll has never been officially confirmed. However, estimates from various sources suggest that between 10,000 and 40,000 people lost their lives during this period of intense violence. This event remains one of the darkest chapters in modern Syrian history.
A Life of Power, Exile, and Legal Troubles
Rifaat al-Assad served as vice-president under his brother Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria at the time of the Hama massacre. However, his political career took a dramatic turn in 1984 when he attempted to overthrow Hafez. The coup failed, forcing Rifaat into exile, first in Switzerland and later in France.
Despite his exile, Rifaat continued to be a prominent figure. He later positioned himself as an opponent of his nephew Bashar al-Assad, who succeeded Hafez in 2000. However, his legacy was marred by serious legal allegations. Swiss prosecutors accused him of a litany of crimes, including ordering murders, acts of torture, inhumane treatment, and illegal detentions during his time as a Syrian army officer.
In 2021, Rifaat returned to Syria from France to avoid a four-year prison sentence for money laundering and the misappropriation of Syrian public funds. His return was notable, as he appeared in a family photograph alongside Bashar al-Assad, the ruler's wife Asma, and other relatives in 2023, suggesting a complex reconciliation within the family.
Final Years and Death
Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's government by rebels in December 2024, Rifaat moved to the United Arab Emirates. According to sources, he died after suffering from influenza for approximately one week. The exact location of his death has not been specified, but it is believed to have occurred in the UAE.
His death closes a chapter on a figure who was both a pillar of the Assad regime and a symbol of its brutality. Rifaat al-Assad's life reflects the turbulent and often violent history of Syria, leaving behind a legacy that continues to evoke strong emotions and debates.
