Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region

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The Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which was established through the merger of the National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party and the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in 2018, is the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party organization in Syria and the Syrian-led Ba'athist movement. Its predecessor, Regional Command (Arabic : Al-Qiyada Al-Qutriyya), stems from Ba'athist ideology, where region literally means an Arab state. [1] According to the Constitution of Syria, the Central Command has the power to nominate a candidate for President. [2] While the constitution does not state that the Secretary-General of the Central Command is the President of Syria, the charter of the National Progressive Front (NPF), of which the Ba'ath Party is a member, states that the President and the Secretary-General is the NPF President, but this is not stated in any legal document. [3] The 1st Extraordinary Regional Congress held in 1964 decided that the Secretary-General of the Central Command would also be head of state. [4] Amin al-Hafiz, the incumbent secretary, became head of state and retained his post as Prime Minister. [4]

Contents

At the 2nd Regional Congress in 1965, the Military Committee weakened the powers of the National Command by passing a resolution that the Regional Secretary of the Regional Command was ex officio head of state. [5] The secretariat was given the powers to appoint the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the commander-in-chief and the leading military commanders. [5] Before the 1970 Corrective Movement that brought Hafez al-Assad to power, the local party leadership was elected by fellow Ba'ath Party members; when al-Assad came to power the Central Command began to appoint all party officials. [6] Under Bashar al-Assad this policy was reversed, and party members were again able to elect the local party leadership, but candidates had to be approved by the party leadership. [7]

The Central Command is officially responsible to the Regional Congress. [8] The Central Command is supposed to be subordinate to the National Command, and official media portray it as such to stress the government's commitment to Ba'athist ideology. [8] Since Hafez al-Assad's rise to power, the National Command has been subordinate to the Central Command. [8] Before the schism between the Military Committee led by Salah Jadid and the Aflaqites, and the ensuing 1966 coup d'état, the National Command was the leading party organ. [9] The Central Command is today the most powerful institution in Syria. [10]

The Secretary-General chairs all the meetings of the Central Command. [11] If the Secretary-General is absent, the Assistant Secretary-General substitutes him. [11] The Assistant Secretary-General sets the agenda for the meeting, with consultation of the Secretary-General. [11] Under Bashar al-Assad a degree of openness is permitted in Central Command meetings. [11] Members are allowed to discuss each sides of complex issues and members can criticize certain policies and how they are implemented. [11] However, if Bashar al-Assad supports a side, that side will prevail in the argument. [11] In contrast to his father, Hafez, who consulted with the Central Command and took their views into account before he made a decision, the Central Command under Bashar al-Assad is increasingly becoming a rubber stamp body. [11]

Heads and bureaus

Members

Only members who were elected to the Regional Command at the 1st Regional Congress (held in September 1963) and after are included in this list. The Syrian Regional Branch was dissolved in 1958 (and is therefore considered as a distinct entity by the Syrian Regional Branch itself) so that Syria, with Egypt, could establish the United Arab Republic. [13] The Syrian Regional Branch was officially reestablished in September 1963. [13]

Members of the 1st–10th Regional Commands
NameTook officeLeft officeTerm(s)Duration
Hammud al-Shufi 5 September 19631 February 19641149 days
Khalid al-Hakim 5 September 19631 February 19641149 days
Nureddin al-Atassi 5 September 196319 December 196542 years, 105 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Mahmüd Nawfal 5 September 19631 February 19641149 days
Ahmad Abü Sälih 5 September 19631 February 19641149 days
Hamad Ubayd 5 September 196319 December 19654167 days
Hafez al-Assad 5 September 19634 April 196541 year, 211 days
27 March 196610 June 2000834 years, 75 days
Muhammad Rabbäh al-Tawil 5 September 196319 December 196542 years, 105 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Amin al-Hafiz 1 February 196419 December 196532 years, 321 days
Salah Jadid 1 February 196419 December 196541 year, 321 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Shibli Aysami 1 February 196417 March 196511 year, 44 days
Muhammad Umran 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
Abd al-Karim al-Jundi 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
27 March 196631 March 196933 years, 4 days
Fahmi al-Ashuri 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
Sulaymän al-Ali 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
Muhammad az-Zubi 1 February 196419 December 196531 year, 321 days
27 March 1966September 19661158 days
Sami al-Jundi 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
Jamil Shiyya 1 February 196419 December 196531 year, 321 days
27 March 1966September 19661158 days
Yusuf Zuaiyin 1 February 196419 December 196531 year, 312 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Mahmud aj-Jayyush 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
al-Walid Taleb 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 62 days
Habïb Hadäd 4 April 19651 August 19651119 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Mustafa Rustum 1 February 19644 April 196511 year, 303 days
27 March 196628 September 196832 years, 185 days
31 March 196913 November 197011 year, 227 days
Adesän Shümän 4 April 19651 August 19651119 days
Mustafa Tlass 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
28 September 19689 June 2005936 years, 251 days
Salim Hatum 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
Muhammad Id Ashawi 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
27 March 196631 March 196943 years, 4 days
Marwan Habash 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Fayiz al-Jüsem 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
27 March 196628 September 196832 years, 185 days
Hisäm Hayzah 1 August 196519 December 19651140 days
Ahmad Suwaydini 27 March 1966February 196822 years, 185 days
Kämel Husayn 27 March 1966September 19661158 days
Brahim Makhous 27 March 196613 November 197044 years, 231 days
Abdul Hamid al-Miqdad September 196613 November 197034 years, 73 days
Hadithad Muräd September 196613 November 197034 years, 46 days
Muhammad Said Taleb September 196613 November 197034 years, 73 days
Adel Naysah 28 September 196831 March 19691184 days
Hamüd al-Qabbani 28 September 196813 November 197022 years, 46 days
Ahmad Shaykh Qasim 31 March 196913 November 197011 year, 227 days
Anis Kanju 31 March 196913 November 197011 year, 227 days
Abdel Ghanf Ibrahim 13 November 19707 January 198039 years, 18 days
Naji Jamil 13 November 1970March 197827 years, 108 days
Abdul Rahman Khleifawi 13 November 19707 January 198039 years, 18 days
Abdul Halim Khaddam 13 November 19709 June 2005634 years, 208 days
Abdullah al-Ahmar 13 November 19709 June 2005634 years, 208 days
Muhammad Ali al-Halabi 13 November 19707 January 198039 years, 18 days
Mahmoud al-Ayyubi 13 November 197015 April 197524 years, 153 days
7 January 198020 January 198515 years, 50 days
Muhammad Haydar 13 November 1970August 197524 years, 261 days
Ahmad al-Khatib 13 November 197015 April 197524 years, 153 days
Muhammad Täleb Hilal 13 November 197014 May 19711182 days
Daud ar-Raddäwi 13 November 197014 May 19711182 days
Fahmi al-Yuxufi 13 November 19707 January 198039 years, 18 days
Abdul Karim Adl 13 November 197015 April 197524 years, 153 days
Mohamad Jaber Bajbouj 14 May 19717 January 198028 years, 201 days
Jabe al-Kafri 14 May 197115 April 197513 years, 336 days
Abdallah al-Ahmad 14 May 19717 January 198028 years, 201 days
Muib Shnän 14 May 19717 January 198028 years, 201 days
George Sanddiqni 14 May 19717 January 198028 years, 201 days
Adib Milhim 14 May 197115 April 197513 years, 336 days
Isam an-Naib 14 May 197115 April 197513 years, 336 days
Taha al-Khayrat 14 May 19717 January 198028 years, 201 days
Zuhair Mushariqa 15 April 19759 June 2005330 years, 55 days
Rifaat al-Assad 15 April 19758 February 1998322 years, 299 days
Ahmad Diyab 15 April 197520 January 198529 years, 280 days
Mahmüd Hadid 15 April 19757 January 198014 years, 230 days
Yüsuf al-Assad 15 April 19757 January 198014 years, 230 days
Ahmad al-Hasan 15 April 19757 January 198014 years, 230 days
Nahïb Hassün 15 April 19757 January 198014 years, 230 days
Ahmad Iskandar Ahmad 7 January 198029 December 198314 years, 28 days
Hikmat al-Shihabi 7 January 1980July 1998218 years, 212 days
Nasruddin Nasir 7 January 198020 January 198515 years, 50 days
Abd al-Qadir Qaddura 7 January 19809 June 2005325 years, 190 days
Walid Hamdun 7 January 19809 June 2005325 years, 190 days
Tawfiq Salah 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Izzuddin Nasir 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Mahmoud Zuabi 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Said Hamadi 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Wahib Tannus 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Abdul Rauf al-Kasm 7 January 198021 June 2000220 years, 203 days
Ilyas al-Lati 7 January 198020 January 198515 years, 50 days
Sulayman Qaddah 7 January 19809 June 2005225 years, 190 days
Ahmad Qabalan 7 January 198021 June 2000120 years, 203 days
Abd al-Razzaq Ayyoub 20 January 198521 June 2000115 years, 153 days
Ahmad Dargham 20 January 19859 June 2005220 years, 140 days
Fayez Nasir 20 January 19859 June 2005220 years, 140 days
Rashid Akhtarini 20 January 198521 June 2000115 years, 153 days
Bashar al-Assad 21 June 2000Incumbent223 years, 154 days
Muhammad Mustafa Mero 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Muhammad Naji al-Otari 21 June 20008 July 2013213 years, 17 days
Farouk al-Sharaa 21 June 20008 July 2013213 years, 17 days
Salim Said Yasin 21 June 20008 December 200111 year, 170 days
Ibrahim Hneidi 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Faruq Abu Shamat 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Ghiyab Barakat 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Walid al-Bouz 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Mohammad al-Hussein 21 June 20008 July 2013213 years, 17 days
Majed Shaddoud 21 June 20009 June 200515 years, 0 days
Mohammed Saeed Bekheitan 21 June 20008 July 2013213 years, 17 days
Hassan Turkmani 9 June 200518 July 201218 years, 29 days
Hisham Ikhtiyar 9 June 200520 July 201218 years, 29 days
Osama bin Hamed Adi 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Yasser Tawfiq Hourieh 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Bassam Janbieh 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Said Daoud Eliya 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Haitham Satayhi 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Shahinaz Fakoush 9 June 20058 July 201318 years, 29 days
Wael Nader al-Halqi 8 July 20133 July 201612 years, 361 days
Mohammad Jihad al-Laham 8 July 20136 June 201612 years, 334 days
Mohamad Ammar Sa'ati 8 July 201322 April 2017110 years, 137 days
Imad Khamis 8 July 201322 April 2017110 years, 137 days
Mohammad Shaaban Azzouz 8 July 2013Incumbent110 years, 137 days
Hilal Hilal 8 July 2013Incumbent110 years, 137 days
Abdul-Nasser Shafi 8 July 201322 April 201712 years, 177 days
Abdul-Mo'ti al-Mashlab 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Fairouz Moussa 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Rakan al-Shoufi 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Youssef al-Ahmad 8 July 2013201713 years, 288 days
Najm al-Ahmad 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Khalaf al-Miftah 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Hussein Arnous 8 July 2013Incumbent110 years, 137 days
Malek Ali 8 July 201322 April 201713 years, 288 days
Hadiya Khalaf Abbas 22 April 201713 November 202114 years, 205 days
Fahd Jassem al-Freij 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Muhsen Bilal 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Mahdi Dakhlallah 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Huda al-Homsi 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Yasser al-Shoufi 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Ammar Sibali 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days
Hammouda Sabbagh 22 April 2017Incumbent16 years, 214 days

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References

  1. ↑ FRD 2004, p. 215.
  2. ↑ Perthes 1997, p. 140].
  3. ↑ Perthes 1997, p. 140.
  4. 1 2 Rabinovich 1972, p. 148.
  5. 1 2 Seale 1990, p. 99.
  6. ↑ George 2003, p.  73.
  7. ↑ George 2003, p.  77.
  8. 1 2 3 George 2003, p. 73.
  9. ↑ George 2003, p. 69.
  10. ↑ Zîser 2007, p. 70.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jouejati 2006, p. 16.
  12. ↑ Bar 2006, p. 434.
  13. 1 2 FRD 2004, pp. 211–212.

Bibliography

Journals and papers
  • Bar, Shmuel (2006). "Bashar's Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview" (PDF). 48 (4). The Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy Institute for Policy and Strategy: 353–445. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2013.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Jouejati, Murhaf (2006). "The Strategic Culture of Irredentist Small Powers: The Case of Syria" (PDF). Defense Threat Reduction Agency Advanced Systems and Concepts Office.
Books
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