A Russian Telegram channel alleges that Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian president, was the target of a poisoning attempt. The unverified claim has fueled speculation about Assad's health and future in Russia.
A Russia n Telegram channel has claimed that Bashar al Assad may have been poisoned, sparking online speculation about the fate of the Syria n dictator after he fled to Moscow following his downfall.The claim was made by General SVR, which says it is run by former and current members of the Russia n Foreign Intelligence Service, although it does not offer any evidence of these ties.
It has been the source of unsubstantiated but dramatic reports about Vladimir Putin's health that have been previously reported internationally.In a post written on its Russian and English language channels on Tuesday, it said 'there is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt was made' on Assad, adding that he had complained to his security team 'about feeling unwell, having trouble breathing, and asked for medical help.'British tabloid newspapers, as well as social media users, have picked up the claims, which have not been independently verified. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin and General SVR for comment by email.Why it mattersRussia offered refuge to Assad, a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin, after his family's five decades in power was ended following a rebel uprising led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).Moscow was dealt a blow following Assad's exit and it is fighting to hang onto its military assets in Syria, such as the critical naval base in Tartus. It is unclear whether Assad's fate in Russia will follow that of other ex-dictators now there, such as former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych.What to knowThe General SVR Telegram channel posted on New Year's Eve that two days earlier Assad had asked for medical help, after having trouble breathing and beginning to cough violently and choke.'There is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt was made on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad,' the post said, as it described how Russian officials were informed and an order was received to treat him at hom
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