Maher al-Assad

Maher al-Assad was appointed commander of the Syrian Republican Guard, an elite military unit responsible for protecting the regime, shortly after his brother Bashar became president in 2000. He also commanded the 4th Armored Division. His positions gave him significant influence over the military and security apparatus.

Maher al-Assad commanded military operations against protesters and armed opposition groups during the Syrian Civil War. His units were involved in brutal crackdowns, including the siege of Daraa and other cities. He was sanctioned by the US and EU for human rights abuses and was a key figure in the regime's war effort.

In 2018, rumors circulated that Maher al-Assad had been killed or seriously injured in an attack, possibly by a drone strike or assassination attempt. However, these reports were never confirmed, and he later appeared in public. The incident highlighted the ongoing threats to regime figures during the civil war.