Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly been the victim of an attempted poisoning while in Moscow. Sources said President Assad, who has been under the protection of Russian President Vladimir Putin since fleeing Syria on December 8, 2024, became seriously ill on Sunday. A social media account known as “General SVR” run by a former Russian spy claimed that Assad experienced severe coughing and choking and then sought medical assistance.
The report suggests there is “every reason to believe that an assassination attempt” was carried out against ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The social media account detailed the alleged poisoning attempt, saying, “On Sunday afternoon, President Assad complained to a security guard that he was feeling unwell and had trouble breathing, and asked them to seek medical assistance. Almost immediately after the request, he began to cough violently. , he began to choke. Assad was given water, and the attack subsided a little, but his breathing still did not return to normal and he developed a headache and abdominal pain.
After a sudden illness, Bashar al-Assad was treated in his apartment, but tests conducted revealed the presence of poisonous substances in his body. “Tests received from the former Syrian president showed the presence of traces of exposure to toxic substances in his body,” the post claimed.
By Monday, the former Syrian president’s condition was reportedly stable. However, there has been no official confirmation of the poisoning incident from either the Syrian or Russian authorities.
Bashar al-Assad’s health scare comes on the heels of a dramatic rebel attack that led to his ouster from power. He had sought refuge in Russia during the rapid occupation of Damascus by a coalition of rebels, including the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Additionally, Asma al-Assad, the wife of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has filed for divorce in a Russian court and is seeking special permission to leave Moscow. According to reports, Asma is unhappy with her life in exile and wants to return to London, where she has dual citizenship.
After the regime of her husband, Bashar al-Assad, collapsed amid the escalating Syrian civil war, the al-Assad family fled to Russia, where they face significant restrictions.
Bashar al-Assad’s asylum status prevents him from leaving Moscow or engaging in political activity, and Russian authorities have frozen his assets.
(The Mint could not independently verify the claim that Bashar al-Assad was poisoned)
