al-hassan was described by analysts as preferring russia (as opposed to iran) to serve as the syrian government's main ally during the syrian civil war and subsequent post-war reconstruction. his position is contrasted by maher al-assad, brother of syrian president bashar al-assad and head of syria's republican guard and 4th armoured division, who is reported as preferring iran. his great friend sari hemeche is also one of the strongest officers in the syrian arab army