Hafız Esad

Hafız Esad was the President of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, known for his authoritarian regime and the establishment of a one-party state under the Ba'ath Party. His leadership was marked by significant repression of dissent, particularly during the Hama massacre in 1982, where thousands were killed. Esad's foreign policy was characterized by hostility towards Israel and support for various militant groups, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hezbollah.