Background
Assad, Hafiz al was born on October 6, 1930 in Qardaha, Lattakia Province, Syria.
Assad, Hafiz al was born on October 6, 1930 in Qardaha, Lattakia Province, Syria.
Educated, Military College, Aviation College. Graduate, Military College, Aviation College, 1955. Doctorate (honorary), Damascus University, 1955.
Commissioned officer Syrian Army, advanced through ranks to general, 1964. Commander-in-chief Syrian Air Force, 1966-1970. Minister defense Government of Syrian Arab Republic, 1966-1970.
Instigated coup d'etat, 1970. Prime minister Syrian Arab Republic, 1970-1971, president, 1971—2000. Commander-in-chief Armed Forces, 1973—2000.
Member Ba'ath (Arab Socialist Renaissance) Party, 1946-2000, secretary, 1970-2000. Member President's Council, Federation Arab Republics, 1971-2000. President Syrian National Progressive Front, 1972-2000.
Married; 4 sons, 1 daughter.