Born in Beit Jann during the Mandate era, Assad joined the IDF, and remained in it as a career soldier. He was discharged holding the rank of colonel. He gained a BA in political science and history of the Middle East from the University of Haifa, and in 1980 became a member of the Israeli delegation to the United Nations. He later became an advisor to the Prime Minister on Druze affairs, and was also a member of the Israeli delegation to the Madrid peace talks in 1991.