LBCI

Syria's Rifaat al-Assad, the 'butcher of Hama', dies at 88

Middle East News

21-01-2026 | 07:13

Share

Share

Syria's Rifaat al-Assad, the 'butcher of Hama', dies at 88

Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad known by critics as the "butcher of Hama" for crushing an Islamist uprising in the city in 1982 before unsuccessfully challenging for power and going into exile, died on Tuesday.

He was 88. He died in the United Arab Emirates, two sources with knowledge of his passing said.

A former army officer who helped Hafez al-Assad seize power in a 1970 coup and establish his iron rule, Rifaat continued to harbour presidential ambitions during years of exile spent mostly in France.

He returned to Syria in 2021, before fleeing again in 2024 following the ouster of his nephew, President Bashar al-Assad.

Reuters

Middle East News

Rifaat

al-Assad,

'butcher

Hama',

Next

Syria says seven soldiers killed after Kurdish force targets arms factory

Egypt's Sisi accepts invite to join Trump's 'Board of Peace'

Previous

Recommended For You

Iran says held 'brief discussion' with US on nuclear issue

04:39

Iran says held 'brief discussion' with US on nuclear issue

'Progress,' say mediators, after Iran-US talks on ending war

23:49

'Progress,' say mediators, after Iran-US talks on ending war

Qatar factory explosion injures 54, 18 missing: Interior ministry

Middle East News

23:41

Qatar factory explosion injures 54, 18 missing: Interior ministry

Qatar reports explosion at factory in Ras Laffan, no injuries or leak reported

Middle East News

16:11

Qatar reports explosion at factory in Ras Laffan, no injuries or leak reported

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

No final decision yet on official exams as Education Minister debates options

2026-06-17

No final decision yet on official exams as Education Minister debates options

Rubio says ‘chance’ of Iran accepting deal as soon as Saturday

2026-05-23

Rubio says ‘chance’ of Iran accepting deal as soon as Saturday

Rare 'extreme heat' warning for parts of UK: Weather office

06:03

Rare 'extreme heat' warning for parts of UK: Weather office

Iran president lauds Pakistan for mediation to stop US, Israel 'aggression'

Middle East News

2026-03-28

Iran president lauds Pakistan for mediation to stop US, Israel 'aggression'

Videos

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

2026-06-06

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

2026-05-31

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

2026-03-08

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-06

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-05

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

New photos show tunnel discovered in south Lebanon's Majdal Zoun

1

New photos show tunnel discovered in south Lebanon's Majdal Zoun

Qatar reports explosion at factory in Ras Laffan, no injuries or leak reported

2

Qatar reports explosion at factory in Ras Laffan, no injuries or leak reported

Trump warns Iran over Lebanon proxies, threatens stronger retaliation

3

Trump warns Iran over Lebanon proxies, threatens stronger retaliation

Israel sets ‘red lines’ on Lebanon policy ahead of US talks

4

Israel sets ‘red lines’ on Lebanon policy ahead of US talks

Ceasefire takes effect in south Lebanon, but key terrain dispute remains unresolved: what we know

5

Ceasefire takes effect in south Lebanon, but key terrain dispute remains unresolved: what we know

Israeli army: Majdal Zoun tunnel shows Hezbollah used civilian areas for military sites

6

Israeli army: Majdal Zoun tunnel shows Hezbollah used civilian areas for military sites

New coordination cell shifts Lebanon-Israel talks agenda in Washington: Hiba Nasr

7

New coordination cell shifts Lebanon-Israel talks agenda in Washington: Hiba Nasr

Lebanese army chief inspects southern units amid continued Israeli violations

8

Lebanese army chief inspects southern units amid continued Israeli violations

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More