In the complex and turbulent world of Middle Eastern politics, one name has resonated for decades, inspiring both fear and fascination: Rifaat al-Assad. The uncle of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently made headlines by leaving Beirut for Dubai, according to Lebanese sources. The move raises many questions about his future and that of his family, as well as the implications of his escape for regional political intrigues.
Rifaat al-Assad, an octogenarian with a sulphurous past, has occupied a central place in the Syrian political apparatus. As the brother of the late President Hafez al-Assad and former vice president of Syria, he led the elite forces responsible for the brutal suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood revolt in Hama in 1982, a defining event in the country’s bloody history. Accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the massacres committed in Hama, he has always denied these allegations, despite legal proceedings in Switzerland.
Rifaat al-Assad’s decision to leave Beirut for Dubai comes at a time of major political upheaval in Syria, with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by a rebel coalition. This transition of power may have prompted several members of the Assad family to distance themselves and seek refuge elsewhere, highlighting the internal divisions that are undermining the clan.
Rifaat al-Assad’s flight also raises questions about the role of the United Arab Emirates in this new episode in Syrian history. By welcoming controversial political figures like Rifaat al-Assad, the Emirates could be seen as influential players, capable of reshaping the regional political chessboard to their advantage.
Finally, the spectacular escape of members of the Assad family, including the aborted attempt by Duraid al-Assad’s wife and daughter to board a plane in Beirut, highlights the power struggles and rivalries within the clan’s inner circle. These recent events underscore the growing instability in the region and the complexity of the alliances and interests at stake.
Ultimately, the saga of Rifaat al-Assad and his family is a testament to the profound upheavals and conflicts tearing the Middle East apart. Beyond the power struggles and family rivalries, it reflects the complex geopolitical stakes that shape the region and outline the uncertain future of a Syria in search of stability and reconstruction.