Raschid ad-Din Sinan, known as the Old Man of the Mountain, was a sect leader of the Shia (Ismaili) Assassins in Syria before and during the Third Crusade. He was likely born in southern Iraq and resided in the castle of Masyaf since 1164. Later, he became independent from the Persian headquarters and employed Fida'i (fanatical assassins willing to die) to eliminate his enemies. Persian Assassins attempted at least two failed assassination attempts on him due to his autonomy.