Getting To Know Hafez Al Assad: Bashar Al Assad's Father Nicknamed The Damascus Lion

Hafez Al Assad, who was once President of Syria from the 1971-2000 era. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The work of Hafez Al Assad in the Middle East political arena cannot be underestimated. The Syrian leader is a figure who often makes Israel dizzy. He supports Pelastina's independence. In fact, he condemned all the land parcels Israel had taken from his territory.

The work made him known as the Damascus Lion. Problems arise. Hafez's leadership as President of Syria is also full of bloodstains. He is known as a dictator. Whoever opposes him will surely be removed.

The best way to see the leadership of a political figure should be from two sides. Because, many of them have the opposite side. Hafez Al Assad, for example. On the one hand, he became a respected leader in the Middle East. On the other hand, he is considered a dictator who is cursed by his own people.

At first Hafez was indeed interested in the military world. The man who was born in Al Qardaah on October 6, 1930, started his career in the air force. He is listed as a fighter pilot in the Soviet Union. He is not only active in the military. The world of politics is trying to work on it.

This condition made his military career smooth. He was able to fill the position of Air Force Chief of Staff (class of KASAU in Indonesia). He then became Minister of Defense from 1966. This career made him have a big role in supporting the Palestinian people for independence.

Syria also participated in the Middle East War in 1967. Hafez saw for himself how the Arab state of the hamlets tried to beat Israel. As a result, Syria also had to be willing to release its territory to the Golan Heights.

The defeat was like a personal problem for Hafez. Later Hafez and the Socialist Party Ba'ath received full support. He immediately composed Syrian President Nureddin Al Atassi and succeeded in 1970.

Hafez also promoted to become President of Syria. The people also supported him. He carried out developments here and there on streets, schools, hospitals, and cheap housing. Israel continues to be fought. Through war and also negotiations. Hafez then earned the nickname Lion Damascus.

Hafez has always insisted there will be no peace with Israel unless the highlands are returned. Since 1967, Assad's efforts have never stopped. The tools range from military chess games involving Syrian and Israeli troops as well as their local allies in Lebanon to carefully planned attacks, in alliances with Egypt, against Israel in 1973.

Hafez fought all obstacles and all Western predictions. Syria regains its territory against the Israeli Defense Forces. However, in the end, Syrian forces were successfully pushed back and only regained a small part of the Golan region, where Assad personally raised its country's flag," Richard Pearson said in his writing on The Washington Post website entitledFrom Humble Roots to 'Lion of Damascus' (2000).

Hafez's name in the international world is fragrant. He is like a fighter in the Middle East. He was able to bridge the interests of many countries in the Middle East. In fact, Israel itself became its arch-enemy with high respect for Hafez.

Problems arise. Hafez's image in the international world can be classy. However, his image in the country has gone up and down. His figure has been praised by many people. His name is mentioned everywhere. The only thing that can shake Hafez's good image is lust for power.

Hafiz repressive and anti-critic. Hafez has recently been known to like to repulse his political opponents. Whoever fights him will surely be exiled, if necessary, to be turned off. This narrative is evidenced by the emergence of fundamentalist Sunni rebels in Hama, Syria in 1982.

Bashar Al Assad's father did not think long. He immediately mobilized military forces to eradicate rebel groups. A total of 10,000 Hama residents died at the hands of the Syrian army. Hafez did not stop.

He immediately eliminated all military generals who could potentially disrupt his power. The main target is to get rid of his own younger brother, the leader of Saraya al Difa (Brigade Defense), General Rifaat Al Assad. Then, the Commander of the Special Forces, Ali Haydar, and the Commander of Division III, Shafiq Fayyahd.

Lust of position then made Hafez look like his eyes were blind. He who was dying immediately changed the presidential age limit law. This effort was made so that his blood could continue his power in 2000. Hafez died June 10, 2000. Then, Bashar Al Assad's son took the throne.

President Hafez, who is known to live modestly, has prepared his son, Bashar Al Assad, 34 years old, to be his successor, not in vain preparation. It is proven that parliament directly changed the law requiring the president to 40 years old to 34 years old.

The announcement was made on the same day Hafez passed away. Then, the Syrian parliamentary leader announced that he would appoint Bashar, the British graduate eye doctor to become Syrian President on June 25, 2000," Bina Bektiati and Zuhaid el-Qudsy said in their article in Tempo magazine entitled Habis Assad Terbitlah Bashar (2000).