The Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party (Arabic: القيادة المركزية لحزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي), 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, the Regional Command, stems from Ba'athist ideology, where region literally means an Arab state.[1] Until 2012, according to the Constitution of Syria, the Central Command had 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.[2]
The 1st Extraordinary Regional Congress held in 1964 decided that the Secretary-General of the Central Command would also be head of state.[3] Amin al-Hafiz, the incumbent secretary, became head of state and retained his post as Prime Minister.[3] 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.[4] The secretariat was given the powers to appoint the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the commander-in-chief and the leading military commanders.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
The Central Command is officially responsible to the Regional Congress.[7] 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.[7] Since Hafez al-Assad's rise to power, the National Command has been subordinate to the Central Command.[7] 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.[8] The Central Command is today the most powerful institution in Syria.[9]
The Secretary-General chairs all the meetings of the Central Command.[10] If the Secretary-General is absent, the Assistant Secretary-General substitutes him.[10] The Assistant Secretary-General sets the agenda for the meeting, with consultation of the Secretary-General.[10] Under Bashar al-Assad a degree of openness is permitted in Central Command meetings.[10] Members are allowed to discuss each sides of complex issues and members can criticize certain policies and how they are implemented.[10] However, if Bashar al-Assad supports a side, that side will prevail in the argument.[10] 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.[10]
Heads and bureaus
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Members
editOnly 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.[16] The Syrian Regional Branch was officially reestablished in September 1963.[16]
| Name | Took office | Left office | Term(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammud al-Shufi | 5 September 1963 | 1 February 1964 | 1 | 149 days |
| Khalid al-Hakim | 5 September 1963 | 1 February 1964 | 1 | 149 days |
| Nureddin al-Atassi | 5 September 1963 | 19 December 1965 | 4 | 2 years, 105 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Mahmüd Nawfal | 5 September 1963 | 1 February 1964 | 1 | 149 days |
| Ahmad Abü Sälih | 5 September 1963 | 1 February 1964 | 1 | 149 days |
| Hamad Ubayd | 5 September 1963 | 19 December 1965 | 4 | 167 days |
| Hafez al-Assad | 5 September 1963 | 4 April 1965 | 4 | 1 year, 211 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 10 June 2000 | 8 | 34 years, 75 days | |
| Muhammad Rabbäh al-Tawil | 5 September 1963 | 19 December 1965 | 4 | 2 years, 105 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Amin al-Hafiz | 1 February 1964 | 19 December 1965 | 3 | 2 years, 321 days |
| Salah Jadid | 1 February 1964 | 19 December 1965 | 4 | 1 year, 321 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Shibli Aysami | 1 February 1964 | 17 March 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 44 days |
| Muhammad Umran | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| Abd al-Karim al-Jundi | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days | |
| 27 March 1966 | 31 March 1969 | 3 | 3 years, 4 days | |
| Fahmi al-Ashuri | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| Sulaymän al-Ali | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| Muhammad az-Zubi | 1 February 1964 | 19 December 1965 | 3 | 1 year, 321 days |
| 27 March 1966 | September 1966 | 1 | 158 days | |
| Sami al-Jundi | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| Jamil Shiyya | 1 February 1964 | 19 December 1965 | 3 | 1 year, 321 days |
| 27 March 1966 | September 1966 | 1 | 158 days | |
| Yusuf Zuaiyin | 1 February 1964 | 19 December 1965 | 3 | 1 year, 312 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Mahmud aj-Jayyush | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| al-Walid Taleb | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 62 days |
| Habïb Hadäd | 4 April 1965 | 1 August 1965 | 1 | 119 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Mustafa Rustum | 1 February 1964 | 4 April 1965 | 1 | 1 year, 303 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 28 September 1968 | 3 | 2 years, 185 days | |
| 31 March 1969 | 13 November 1970 | 1 | 1 year, 227 days | |
| Adesän Shümän | 4 April 1965 | 1 August 1965 | 1 | 119 days |
| Mustafa Tlass | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| 28 September 1968 | 9 June 2005 | 9 | 36 years, 251 days | |
| Salim Hatum | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| Muhammad Id Ashawi | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 31 March 1969 | 4 | 3 years, 4 days | |
| Marwan Habash | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days | |
| Fayiz al-Jüsem | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| 27 March 1966 | 28 September 1968 | 3 | 2 years, 185 days | |
| Hisäm Hayzah | 1 August 1965 | 19 December 1965 | 1 | 140 days |
| Ahmad Suwaydini | 27 March 1966 | February 1968 | 2 | 2 years, 185 days |
| Kämel Husayn | 27 March 1966 | September 1966 | 1 | 158 days |
| Brahim Makhous | 27 March 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 4 | 4 years, 231 days |
| Abdul Hamid al-Miqdad | September 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 3 | 4 years, 73 days |
| Hadithad Muräd | September 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 3 | 4 years, 46 days |
| Muhammad Said Taleb | September 1966 | 13 November 1970 | 3 | 4 years, 73 days |
| Adel Naysah | 28 September 1968 | 31 March 1969 | 1 | 184 days |
| Hamüd al-Qabbani | 28 September 1968 | 13 November 1970 | 2 | 2 years, 46 days |
| Ahmad Shaykh Qasim | 31 March 1969 | 13 November 1970 | 1 | 1 year, 227 days |
| Anis Kanju | 31 March 1969 | 13 November 1970 | 1 | 1 year, 227 days |
| Abdel Ghanf Ibrahim | 13 November 1970 | 7 January 1980 | 3 | 9 years, 18 days |
| Naji Jamil | 13 November 1970 | March 1978 | 2 | 7 years, 108 days |
| Abdul Rahman Khleifawi | 13 November 1970 | 7 January 1980 | 3 | 9 years, 18 days |
| Abdul Halim Khaddam | 13 November 1970 | 9 June 2005 | 6 | 34 years, 208 days |
| Abdullah al-Ahmar | 13 November 1970 | 9 June 2005 | 6 | 34 years, 208 days |
| Muhammad Ali al-Halabi | 13 November 1970 | 7 January 1980 | 3 | 9 years, 18 days |
| Mahmoud al-Ayyubi | 13 November 1970 | 15 April 1975 | 2 | 4 years, 153 days |
| 7 January 1980 | 20 January 1985 | 1 | 5 years, 50 days | |
| Muhammad Haydar | 13 November 1970 | August 1975 | 2 | 4 years, 261 days |
| Ahmad al-Khatib | 13 November 1970 | 15 April 1975 | 2 | 4 years, 153 days |
| Muhammad Täleb Hilal | 13 November 1970 | 14 May 1971 | 1 | 182 days |
| Daud ar-Raddäwi | 13 November 1970 | 14 May 1971 | 1 | 182 days |
| Fahmi al-Yuxufi | 13 November 1970 | 7 January 1980 | 3 | 9 years, 18 days |
| Abdul Karim Adl | 13 November 1970 | 15 April 1975 | 2 | 4 years, 153 days |
| Mohamad Jaber Bajbouj | 14 May 1971 | 7 January 1980 | 2 | 8 years, 201 days |
| Jabe al-Kafri | 14 May 1971 | 15 April 1975 | 1 | 3 years, 336 days |
| Abdallah al-Ahmad | 14 May 1971 | 7 January 1980 | 2 | 8 years, 201 days |
| Muib Shnän | 14 May 1971 | 7 January 1980 | 2 | 8 years, 201 days |
| George Sanddiqni | 14 May 1971 | 7 January 1980 | 2 | 8 years, 201 days |
| Adib Milhim | 14 May 1971 | 15 April 1975 | 1 | 3 years, 336 days |
| Isam an-Naib | 14 May 1971 | 15 April 1975 | 1 | 3 years, 336 days |
| Taha al-Khayrat | 14 May 1971 | 7 January 1980 | 2 | 8 years, 201 days |
| Zuhair Mushariqa | 15 April 1975 | 9 June 2005 | 3 | 30 years, 55 days |
| Rifaat al-Assad | 15 April 1975 | 8 February 1998 | 3 | 22 years, 299 days |
| Ahmad Diyab | 15 April 1975 | 20 January 1985 | 2 | 9 years, 280 days |
| Mahmüd Hadid | 15 April 1975 | 7 January 1980 | 1 | 4 years, 230 days |
| Yüsuf al-Assad | 15 April 1975 | 7 January 1980 | 1 | 4 years, 230 days |
| Ahmad al-Hasan | 15 April 1975 | 7 January 1980 | 1 | 4 years, 230 days |
| Nahïb Hassün | 15 April 1975 | 7 January 1980 | 1 | 4 years, 230 days |
| Ahmad Iskandar Ahmad | 7 January 1980 | 29 December 1983 | 1 | 4 years, 28 days |
| Hikmat al-Shihabi | 7 January 1980 | July 1998 | 2 | 18 years, 212 days |
| Nasruddin Nasir | 7 January 1980 | 20 January 1985 | 1 | 5 years, 50 days |
| Abd al-Qadir Qaddura | 7 January 1980 | 9 June 2005 | 3 | 25 years, 190 days |
| Walid Hamdun | 7 January 1980 | 9 June 2005 | 3 | 25 years, 190 days |
| Tawfiq Salah | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Izzuddin Nasir | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Mahmoud Zuabi | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Said Hamadi | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Wahib Tannus | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Abdul Rauf al-Kasm | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 2 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Ilyas al-Lati | 7 January 1980 | 20 January 1985 | 1 | 5 years, 50 days |
| Sulayman Qaddah | 7 January 1980 | 9 June 2005 | 2 | 25 years, 190 days |
| Ahmad Qabalan | 7 January 1980 | 21 June 2000 | 1 | 20 years, 203 days |
| Abd al-Razzaq Ayyoub | 20 January 1985 | 21 June 2000 | 1 | 15 years, 153 days |
| Ahmad Dargham | 20 January 1985 | 9 June 2005 | 2 | 20 years, 140 days |
| Fayez Nasir | 20 January 1985 | 9 June 2005 | 2 | 20 years, 140 days |
| Rashid Akhtarini | 20 January 1985 | 21 June 2000 | 1 | 15 years, 153 days |
| Bashar al-Assad | 21 June 2000 | Incumbent | 2 | 24 years, 140 days |
| Muhammad Mustafa Mero | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Muhammad Naji al-Otari | 21 June 2000 | 8 July 2013 | 2 | 13 years, 17 days |
| Farouk al-Sharaa | 21 June 2000 | 8 July 2013 | 2 | 13 years, 17 days |
| Salim Said Yasin | 21 June 2000 | 8 December 2001 | 1 | 1 year, 170 days |
| Ibrahim Hneidi | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Faruq Abu Shamat | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Ghiyab Barakat | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Walid al-Bouz | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Mohammad al-Hussein | 21 June 2000 | 8 July 2013 | 2 | 13 years, 17 days |
| Majed Shaddoud | 21 June 2000 | 9 June 2005 | 1 | 5 years, 0 days |
| Mohammed Saeed Bekheitan | 21 June 2000 | 8 July 2013 | 2 | 13 years, 17 days |
| Hassan Turkmani | 9 June 2005 | 18 July 2012 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Hisham Ikhtiyar | 9 June 2005 | 20 July 2012 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Osama bin Hamed Adi | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Yasser Tawfiq Hourieh | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Bassam Janbieh | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Said Daoud Eliya | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Haitham Satayhi | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Shahinaz Fakoush | 9 June 2005 | 8 July 2013 | 1 | 8 years, 29 days |
| Wael Nader al-Halqi | 8 July 2013 | 3 July 2016 | 1 | 2 years, 361 days |
| Mohammad Jihad al-Laham | 8 July 2013 | 6 June 2016 | 1 | 2 years, 334 days |
| Mohamad Ammar Sa'ati | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Imad Khamis | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Mohammad Shaaban Azzouz | 8 July 2013 | 4 May 2024 | 2 | 10 years, 301 days |
| Hilal Hilal | 8 July 2013 | 8 May 2024 | 3 | 10 years, 305 days |
| Abdul-Nasser Shafi | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Abdul-Mo'ti al-Mashlab | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Fairouz Moussa | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Rakan al-Shoufi | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Youssef al-Ahmad | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Najm al-Ahmad | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Khalaf al-Miftah | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Malek Ali | 8 July 2013 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 3 years, 288 days |
| Hussein Arnous | 8 July 2013 | Incumbent | 3 | 11 years, 123 days |
| Hadiya Khalaf Abbas | 22 April 2017 | 13 November 2021 | 1 | 4 years, 205 days |
| Fahd Jassem al-Freij | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Muhsen Bilal | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Mahdi Dakhlallah | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Huda al-Homsi | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Yasser al-Shoufi | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Ammar Sibali | 22 April 2017 | 4 May 2024 | 1 | 7 years, 12 days |
| Hammouda Sabbagh | 22 April 2017 | Incumbent | 2 | 7 years, 200 days |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days | |
| 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
Members of the Oversight and Inspection Committee
edit| Name | Took office | Left office | Term(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Razzaq Al-Jassem | 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
| Rama Aziz | 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
| Abdul Ahad Safar | 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
| Thuraya Maslamaniyah | 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
| Mazen Tuffaha | 4 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 | 188 days |
References
edit- ^ FRD 2004, p. 215.
- ^ a b Perthes 1997, p. 140.
- ^ a b Rabinovich 1972, p. 148.
- ^ a b Seale 1990, p. 99.
- ^ George 2003, p. 73.
- ^ George 2003, p. 77.
- ^ a b c George 2003, p. 73.
- ^ George 2003, p. 69.
- ^ Zîser 2007, p. 70.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jouejati 2006, p. 16.
- ^ "Syria Comment". Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ "السيرة الذاتية للرفاق أعضاء القيادة المركزية لحزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي07-05-2024".
- ^ "هنأ بوتين بتنصيبه رئيساً لروسيا الاتحادية لولاية جديدة … الرئيس الأسد للقيادة المركزية: الحوار أحد أهم آليات تعزيز حضور «البع" [He congratulated Putin on his inauguration as President of the Russian Federation for a new term... President al-Assad of the Central Command: Dialogue is one of the most important mechanisms for strengthening the presence of the “Baath Party.”]. Al Watan Newspaper. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Bar 2006, p. 434.
- ^ "البعث ينهي انتخاباته بتشكيل قيادة مركزية جديدة والرئيس الأسد أميناً عاماً بالإجماع … الرئيس الأسد: هذه الانتخابات ستشكل قيمة مضافة ومفصلاً حقيقياً في تاريخ الحزب" [The Baath Party ends its elections by forming a new central leadership and President al-Assad is unanimously appointed Secretary-General... President al-Assad: These elections will constitute added value and a real turning point in the party’s history.]. Al-Watan Newspaper. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b FRD 2004, pp. 211–212.
Bibliography
edit- 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
- Federal Research Division (2004). Syria: A Country Study. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4191-5022-7.
- George, Alan (2003). Syria: Neither Bread nor Freedom. Zed Books. ISBN 978-1-84277-213-3.
- Perthes, Volker (1997). The Political Economy of Syria Under Asad. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1-86064-192-X.
- Seale, Patrick (1990). Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-06976-5.
- Rabinovich, Itamar (1972). Syria under the Baʻth, 1963–66: the Army Party symbiosis. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-7065-1266-9.
- Zîser, Eyāl (2007). Commanding Syria: Bashar al-Asad and the First Years in Power. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-153-3.