Part 3/9:
In 1970, General Hafez al-Assad executed a bloodless coup, establishing a regime primarily aligned with the Ba'athist ideology, which aimed to reinforce Arab nationalism, military strength, and combat Israel’s influence. Following the death of Hafez in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad took over. Initially perceived as a reformist, Bashar's presidency quickly became synonymous with the oppressive tactics of his father's era, igniting long-standing discontent.