Dark Mode
Sunday, 27 April 2025
Logo
Nidal Al-Hassan and the Model of Power Reproduction in Syria
نضال الحسن ونموذج إعادة إنتاج السلطة في سوريا

The fall of the Syrian regime did not signify the collapse of its deep structure; rather, it led to the reproduction of the regime through local figures closely linked to its approach, enabling them to get closer to the new power. One of the most prominent of these figures is Nidal Al-Hassan, known by the nickname "The Hawk" and the kunya "Abu Ali," who hails from the town of Souran in northern Hama countryside.

Al-Hassan grew up in a family recognized for its unwavering loyalty to the Assad regime for several decades, being an essential part of the tools of repression and extortion at the local level. With the onset of the Syrian revolution in 2011, Al-Hassan did not hesitate to take an overt pro-regime stance, playing a significant role in security decisions and providing support to the regime's militias.

The signs of Al-Hassan's hostility towards anyone calling for freedom became evident, as documented field testimonies indicate his attempt to assassinate the activist Zakaria Al-Nouri in 2011, where he shot him, injuring him in the leg. Although Al-Nouri survived that incident, he later fell as a martyr in clashes with regime forces. Al-Hassan was also involved in other assassination attempts targeting activists in his town, without facing accountability.

The residents of Souran and its surroundings remember the record of hostility that linked them with Nidal Al-Hassan and his brothers, with a pending vendetta for their victims' blood. After the regime's collapse, Al-Hassan moved to Tartus, where he sought to strengthen his ties with decision-making centers in the security apparatus. Since then, he has become one of the figures accompanying public security officials and meeting with the city's notables under the pretext of "the state," according to local videos and testimonies, reflecting his effort to present a model similar to that of Fadi Saqr.

Nidal Al-Hassan's social media pages showcase his civil activity supporting reconciliation projects with war criminals, attempting to whitewash the record of some of them, in a bid to make himself part of the new scene despite his history of hostility.

Caricature

BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...

ads

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!