He was among the Syrian pilots who flew to Cairo to show Syria 's commitment to Egypt .
When Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal in 1956 , Syria feared retaliation from the United Kingdom , and Assad flew in an air - defense mission .
Assad was among the Syria pilots who flew to Cairo to show Syria 's commitment to Egypt .
When Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal in 1956 , Syria feared retaliation from the United Kingdom , and Assad flew in an air - defense mission .