Bassel al-Assad
Bassel al-Assad | |
|---|---|
باسل الأسد | |
Al-Assad, c. 1994 | |
| Born | 23 March 1962 Damascus, Syria |
| Died | 21 January 1994 (aged 31) Damascus, Syria |
| Other names | The Golden Knight |
| Parents |
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| Family | Al-Assad family |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Ba'athist Syria |
| Branch | |
| Service years | 1980–1994 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | |
| Commands | 42nd Special Forces Regiment 12th Armoured Battalion |
| Awards |
|
Bassel al-Assad (Arabic: بَاسِلُ ٱلْأَسَدِ, romanized: Bāsil al-ʾAsad; 23 March 1962 – 21 January 1994) was a Syrian military officer, engineer and politician. He was the eldest son of Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. He was expected to succeed his father as president until his death in a car crash in January 1994. After his death, his younger brother Bashar became heir apparent to the Syrian presidency and ultimately succeeded their father upon his death.