The best documentation of the massacre of Hamah was produced by the information office of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood in a book titled Hamah: Ma'sat Al-`Asr (Hamah: Massacre of the Age). It has names and dates and specifics of the horrific massacre(s) committed by the regime there. It was published in the 1980s but is out of print and is hard to find (outside of my personal library, that is). But as for the number of those killed, I accept the estimate of 10,000 provided by Amnesty International although lately I read the in the press the estimate of 20,000. (I know that figures and facts don't matter when it comes to regimes we hate). I was thinking about Bashshar Al-Asad's son, who is named Hafidh after his grandfather. I think that this conversation probably have taken place between Bashshar and his son:
Hafidh Jr: Dad. Tell me about my grandfather. Talk to me about his achievements.
Bashshar: Well, we can't speak about his achievements in the battle field against Israel because he did a lousy job in every war against Israel that he led. But certainly, the massacres(s) in Hamah were his biggest achievement, really.
Hafidh Jr. Oh, dad. Can i grow up to be just like my grandfather?
Bashshar: Oh, no. You can be certain of that. I can barely keep my job as potentate.
Hafidh Jr: Dad. Tell me about my grandfather. Talk to me about his achievements.
Bashshar: Well, we can't speak about his achievements in the battle field against Israel because he did a lousy job in every war against Israel that he led. But certainly, the massacres(s) in Hamah were his biggest achievement, really.
Hafidh Jr. Oh, dad. Can i grow up to be just like my grandfather?
Bashshar: Oh, no. You can be certain of that. I can barely keep my job as potentate.
