Shafiq al-Fayadh (1937 – 8 October 2015) (Arabic: شفيق الفياض) was a Syrian military officer and former commander of the Syrian Army's 3rd Division and a close adviser to President Hafez al-Assad. He was also one of the members of his inner circle.
Shafiq al-Fayadh | |
|---|---|
| Native name | شفيق الفياض |
| Born | 1937 Ayb al-Arus, Jableh, First Syrian Republic |
| Died | 8 October 2015 (aged 77–78) |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Service/ |  Syrian Arab Army |
| Years of service | 1959 – June 2005 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 3rd Division Damascus Army Garrison |
| Battles/wars | |
| Relations | Hafez al-Assad (cousin) |
Early life edit
Fayadh was born in the village of Ayb al-Arus, near Jableh, to an Alawite family of the prominent Kalbiyya clan. Other members of the clan include Fayadh's cousin, Hafez al-Assad.[1][2]
His son ‘Ala is married to Lamia, the daughter of Rifaat al-Assad.[2] Another of his sons married into a Christian family, whilst another married into a Shiite family.[3]
Career edit
The 3rd Division under Fayadh played an extremely important role for the government of Hafez al-Assad. The unit, under Fayadh, was one of the first to go into Lebanon in 1976. Fayadh played an important role during the Islamic uprising in Syria, occupying Aleppo with the 3rd Division in 1980, and taking part in the Hama massacre.[4] The Division was deployed near Damascus, in order to protect the government against potential coups.[4]
Fayadh was retired in June 2005 as part of a restructuring program of the Syrian Army designed to pave the way for the succession of the Presidency to Bashar al-Assad from Hafez al-Assad.[1][5][when?]
Death edit
Fayadh died on 8 October 2015, suffering from illness.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b Biography for Shafiq Fayyad - silobreaker Archived 2013-07-28 at archive.today
- ^ a b Bar, Shmuel (2006). "Bashar's Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview" (PDF). Comparative Strategy. 25 (5): 380. doi:10.1080/01495930601105412. S2CID 154739379. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ Shibley, Barnett; Michael N., Telhami (2002). Identity and Foreign Policy in the Middle East. Cornell University Press. p. 148. ISBN 9780801439407.
- ^ a b Middle East Watch (1991). Syria Unmasked: The Suppression of Human Rights by the Asad Regime. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. p. 41.
- ^ "Assad Nudges Syria Closer To Peace Deal With Israel". The Christian Science Monitor. 30 August 1994. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ "العماد شفيق فياض توفي أمس.. ماذا تعرف عنه؟". enabbaladi.net (in Arabic). 9 October 2015.
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