In February 1982, the Syrian city of Hama became well-known worldwide as the place of the “Hama massacre”. After a large and long-planned uprising of Muslim rebels against Asad and the Ba’th party, mainly organised by the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, Syrian government forces crushed the rebellion with brutal force. An estimated number of 20.000 to 40.000 citizens were killed by Syrian army units under the control of General Ali Haydar, 15.000 missing persons have not been found until today.
This incident evoked heavy condemnation of the so-called 'pro-Moscow military regime' of Asad in the German press. It was accused of “beeing one of the bloodiest regimes in the Middle East, shaken from fear of espionage and with pro-soviet declarations and refusal of any peace policy overbidding itself every day anew.” (Ranke, P.M., „Nur noch mit Gewalt“, Die Welt, 12.2.1982). The Asad regime was portrayed in West German newspapers in exactly the same way as in the writings of the Muslim Brotherhood, as a sectarian minority regime, and little distinction was made between the goals of the Brotherhood and the goals of the Syrian people in general.
This paper analyses the reasons, supporters and consequences of the Hama massacre, focussing on the triangle between Asad, the Muslim Brotherhood and West Germany. I will analyse, why the Muslim Brotherhood in exile acted mainly from West Germany in its fight against Asad, and why West Germany supported or tolerated those actions. I will furthermore analyse the interests of different groups and countries, internal, regional and international, involved in the Hama incident – and elaborate why they were interested in a destabilisation of Syria. On a global level, I will consider the Hama incident in terms of cold war and the involvement of the Superpowers USA and USSR in the Middle East in the early 1980s.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Hama Massacre and its forerunners
- Stage A: Syria - Internal supporters of the Hama revolt
- Excursus: The Alawis/Nusairis
- Stage B: The Middle East - Regional supporters of the Hama revolt
- Stage C: The international level: The interests of the superpowers and its allies in the Hama Revolt
- Stage D: West Germany
- Three ways how West Germany supported the Syrian Brotherhood
- West German media coverage of the Hama rebellion
- The roots of the Muslim Brotherhood in West Germany
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the causes, supporters, and consequences of the Hama massacre in 1982, with a specific focus on the interplay between Hafez al-Assad, the Muslim Brotherhood, and West Germany. The study investigates why the exiled Brotherhood primarily operated from West Germany and examines the reasons behind West Germany's support or tolerance of their actions. It also explores the various internal, regional, and international actors involved in supporting either Assad or the Brotherhood, and their motivations for potentially destabilizing Syria.
- The Hama Massacre as a consequence of the conflict between the Assad regime and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- The role of internal, regional, and international actors in supporting the Hama revolt or the Assad regime.
- The activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in exile, particularly in West Germany.
- West Germany's response to the Hama massacre and its relationship with both Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- The Hama massacre within the context of the Cold War and superpower involvement in the Middle East.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by introducing the Hama massacre of February 1982, highlighting the brutal suppression of a Muslim Brotherhood uprising by Syrian government forces under Hafez al-Assad. It establishes the scale of the tragedy, emphasizing the high civilian death toll and destruction, and briefly outlines the events leading to the uprising, including an ambush on government troops and the subsequent declaration of Hama as a "liberated city." The chapter also touches upon the negative international press coverage of the event and the portrayal of Assad's regime as a brutal, sectarian entity.
The Hama Massacre and its forerunners: This section delves into the historical context of the Hama massacre, tracing the long-standing conflict between the Assad regime and the Muslim Brotherhood. It details the years of escalating tension and violence between the two, culminating in the decision by the Brotherhood to engage in armed struggle against the regime. The chapter emphasizes the severity of the threat posed by the Brotherhood to Assad's rule and positions the Hama massacre as a pivotal, last-ditch battle for control of Syria.
Stage A: Syria - Internal supporters of the Hama revolt: This chapter examines the internal dynamics within Syria that contributed to the Hama uprising. It includes a detailed explanation of the Alawite minority rule and the grievances of the Sunni majority, creating an understanding of the social and political landscape. The analysis here will delve into the extent of support, both active and passive, for the rebellion among the Syrian population, and what factors contributed to the uprising.
Stage B: The Middle East - Regional supporters of the Hama revolt: This chapter explores the regional dimensions of the conflict, analyzing the support or opposition from neighboring countries or groups in the Middle East. It might delve into potential alliances or rivalries that influenced the Hama uprising and the response to it. The analysis would highlight the geopolitical ramifications and the implications for regional stability.
Stage C: The international level: The interests of the superpowers and its allies in the Hama Revolt: This section analyzes the involvement of international actors in the Hama massacre. It examines the roles of the superpowers, the USA and the USSR, and their respective allies in the region. It explores whether these actors influenced the conflict, either overtly or covertly, and what their interests were regarding Syria's stability.
Stage D: West Germany: This chapter focuses on West Germany's role in the Hama conflict. It examines the presence of Syrian Muslim Brotherhood members in exile, their activities within West Germany, and the extent of West German support or tolerance of their actions against the Assad regime. The chapter examines how the Brotherhood utilized West Germany as a base for operations against Assad and investigates the motivations and consequences of West Germany's policies in relation to this conflict.
Keywords
Hama massacre, Hafez al-Assad, Muslim Brotherhood, Syria, West Germany, Cold War, Middle East, political repression, terrorism, exile, asylum, media coverage, regional instability, geopolitical implications.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the Hama Massacre and West Germany's Role
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the causes, supporters, and consequences of the 1982 Hama massacre in Syria. It specifically examines the interplay between Hafez al-Assad's regime, the Muslim Brotherhood, and West Germany, investigating West Germany's support or tolerance of the Brotherhood's actions against Assad.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the Hama massacre as a consequence of the conflict between Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood; the roles of internal, regional, and international actors; the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in exile (particularly in West Germany); West Germany's response to the massacre and its relationship with both Assad and the Brotherhood; and the Hama massacre within the context of the Cold War and superpower involvement in the Middle East.
What events are covered in the "Hama Massacre and its Forerunners" chapter?
This chapter details the historical context of the massacre, tracing the long-standing conflict between the Assad regime and the Muslim Brotherhood. It outlines the escalating tension and violence culminating in the Brotherhood's armed struggle against the regime, emphasizing the severity of the threat posed to Assad's rule.
What does the paper discuss regarding internal support for the Hama revolt?
The paper examines the internal dynamics within Syria contributing to the uprising. This includes the Alawite minority rule and the grievances of the Sunni majority, analyzing the extent of support (both active and passive) for the rebellion among the Syrian population.
How does the paper address regional and international support for the revolt or the Assad regime?
The paper explores regional support or opposition from neighboring countries or groups in the Middle East, analyzing potential alliances or rivalries influencing the uprising and the response to it. It also analyzes the involvement of international actors, including the USA and USSR, and their interests regarding Syria's stability.
What is the significance of West Germany's role in the Hama conflict?
The paper focuses on West Germany's role, examining the presence of Syrian Muslim Brotherhood members in exile, their activities within West Germany, and the extent of West German support or tolerance of their actions against Assad. It investigates how the Brotherhood utilized West Germany and the motivations and consequences of West Germany's policies.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries for the Introduction, the Hama Massacre and its forerunners, and chapters detailing internal (Syria), regional (Middle East), and international support for the revolt, as well as a dedicated chapter on West Germany's role.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Hama massacre, Hafez al-Assad, Muslim Brotherhood, Syria, West Germany, Cold War, Middle East, political repression, terrorism, exile, asylum, media coverage, regional instability, and geopolitical implications.
What type of audience is this paper intended for?
This paper is intended for academic use, focusing on a structured and professional analysis of the themes surrounding the Hama massacre.
- Citation du texte
- Dipl. Paed. Kathrin Nina Wiedl (Auteur), 2006, The Hama Massacre – reasons, supporters of the rebellion, consequences, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63819
