Summary
Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad, died in the United Arab Emirates at the age of 89. He was once the commander of Syria's Defence Companies and was involved in the 1982 Hama massacre. Rifaat spent many years in exile and faced legal challenges related to his finances and actions during his time in power.
Key Facts
- Rifaat al-Assad died on January 21, 2026, in the UAE at the age of 89.
- He was a key figure in Syria's political history, known for leading the Defence Companies.
- In 1982, he played a major role in the Hama massacre, where many people died.
- Rifaat had a dispute with his brother, Hafez al-Assad, and attempted a coup in the 1980s.
- He spent 36 years in exile, mostly in Europe, facing legal issues for his wealth.
- In 2020, a French court sentenced him for money laundering.
- In 2023, Switzerland issued an arrest warrant for his involvement in 1982 war crimes.
- Rifaat returned to Syria in 2021, later moving to Dubai after the Assad regime fell.
