December - Israel formally annexes the Golan Heights. Uprising in Hama 1982 February - Muslim Brotherhood uprising in the city of Hama. The revolt is suppressed by the military. June - Israel invades Lebanon and attacks the Syrian army, forcing it to withdraw from several areas. Israel attacks the PLO base in Beirut.
Syrian forces remain in Lebanon.
July - The Mufti of Jerusalem issues a fatwa calling for Assad to be killed because of his hostile treatment of the Palestine Liberation Organization. 1983 - Assad suffers a heart attack, according to reports denied by authorities. Assad's brother Rifaat apparently prepares to take power. Rifaat is promoted to the post of vice-president. Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Syria joins the US-led coalition against Iraq.