They were sacked not because of disloyalty to Assad , but because Assad thought they would not fully support Bashar al - Assad 's succession .
Several Assad proteges , who had served since 1970 or earlier , were dismissed from office between 1998 and 2000 .
proteges were sacked not because of disloyalty to Assad , but because Assad thought proteges would not fully support Bashar al - Assad 's succession .
Several Assad proteges , who had served since 1970 or earlier , were dismissed from office between 1998 and 2000 .