Editing Hafez al-Assad (section)

===== 1970 Coup d’etat=====
{{See also|Corrective Movement (Syria)|al-Assad government}}

Assad began planning to seize power shortly after the failed [[Syrian invasion of Jordan|Syrian military intervention]] in the [[Black September]], a power struggle between the PLO and the [[List of kings of Jordan|Hashemite monarchy]].{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} While Assad had been in ''de facto'' command of Syrian politics since 1969, Jadid and his supporters still held the trappings of power.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} After attending Nasser's funeral, Assad returned to Syria for the Emergency National Congress (held on 30 October).{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} At the congress Assad was condemned by Jadid and his supporters, the majority of the party's delegates.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} However, before attending the congress Assad ordered his loyal troops to surround the building housing the meeting.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} Criticism of Assad's political position continued in a defeatist tone, with the majority of delegates believing that Assad had lost the battle.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}} Assad and Tlass were stripped of their government posts at the congress; these acts had little practical significance.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=162}}

When the National Congress ended on 12 November 1970, Assad ordered loyalists to arrest leading members of Jadid's government.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=164}} Although many mid-level officials were offered posts in Syrian embassies abroad, Jadid refused: "If I ever take power, you will be dragged through the streets until you die."{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=164}} Assad imprisoned him in [[Mezze prison]] until his death.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=164}} The coup was calm and bloodless; the only evidence of change to the outside world was the disappearance of newspapers, radio and television stations.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=164}} A Temporary Regional Command was soon established, and on 16 November the new government published its first decree.{{sfn|Seale|1990|p=164}}