Colonel Ziad



Ziad was a Colonel in the Abbudin military and acted as General Tariq's second-in-command. He carried out many of Tariq's orders, including the arrest of Hamid Mahfouz and other "unspeakbable acts." Though serving Tariq loyally Ziad was disillusioned with Tariq's methods of oppression and recognized that they would result in civil war and widespread rebellion. He was also ambitious, seeking Tariq's position as head of all Abbudin's military forces, a position he held for a short amount of time. He discovered Bassam's coup and offered his support but was discovered along with the rest of the conspirators and executed by firing squad.

Biography
Nothing is known of Ziad's personal life or his history. Somehow he became Tariq's trusted second-in-command and carried out his orders, most of which he found horrifying and unspeakable. He recognized Tariq's "iron fist methods" were no longer viable and would lead to open rebellion against the regime.

Season 1
Ziad plays a minor role in the beginning of Season 1, merely being seen sitting with Tariq and the Presidential Council and representing Abbudin's military forces. Later he features a more prominent role after discovering Bassam's coup against Jamal. Instead of informing his superiors however he offers his support to Bassam as long as he is given Tariq's position after the coup. He helps Bassam plan Tariq's downfall and spreads the rumor that Tariq is attempting to overthrow Jamal, leading Jamal to believe that Tariq is planning a coup. Jamal orders Ziad to arrest Tariq shortly after destroying a plane full of Tariq's senior officers and promotes Ziad to General and Commander of all Abbudin's Military Forces. Ziad is then tasked with uncovering the rest of the conspirators in Tariq's "coup" but uses the opportunity to torture Tariq as penance for "all the unspeakable acts I performed on your behalf." However after one of the conspirators, Hakim, reveals the coup to Jamal he frees and reinstates Tariq as well as ordering Ziad's arrest. Ziad is then executed by firing squad along with many other conspirators.