A well-known Russian Telegram channel has claimed that Bashar al-Assad may have been poisoned, sparking speculation about the fate of the Syrian dictator after he fled to Moscow following his downfall.
The claim was made by the channel “General SVR,” which alleges to be run by former and current members of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, although it offers no evidence for these assertions.
The channel has previously been a source of unverified but dramatic reports about Vladimir Putin’s health, which have been picked up internationally. The latest news about Bashar al-Assad has also caused a stir in the media.
In a post written in both Russian and English on Tuesday, it stated that “there is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt” on Assad occurred, adding that he had complained to his security team about “discomfort, difficulty breathing, and requested medical assistance.”
United Kingdom (UK) tabloids, as well as social media users, have reported on these claims, which have not been independently confirmed. Media outlets have requested comments from the Kremlin and the “General SVR” channel via email.
Why this matters
Russia offered asylum to Assad, a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin after his family lost five decades of rule due to an uprising led by the Islamist militant group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Moscow has faced setbacks following Assad’s departure and is struggling to maintain its military capabilities in Syria, such as the key naval base in Tartus. It remains unclear whether Assad’s fate in Russia will mirror that of other former dictators, like Ukraine’s ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych.
What you need to know
The Telegram channel “General SVR” posted on New Year’s Day that Assad had sought medical assistance two days earlier after experiencing breathing difficulties, coughing, and choking.
“There is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad occurred,” the post states, describing how Russian officials were informed and ordered treatment at home.
Tests reportedly “showed traces of exposure to a toxic substance in his body,” while his condition stabilized by Monday evening. The post added that an investigation is ongoing, “but it has not yet been determined how Bashar al-Assad was exposed to the poison.”
The Russian channel “General SVR” has 351.000 subscribers, while its English version has around 11.000. The channel has been the source of several sensational but unverified stories picked up by numerous tabloids.
In May 2022, it claimed that Putin would temporarily transfer power to undergo cancer surgery, while in March 2023, it alleged that the Russian president used a body double during visits to Crimea and Mariupol.
Another post from December 2022 claimed that, after a stressful day, Putin fell down five stairs, hit his tailbone, and “involuntarily defecated.” When media outlets contacted Putin’s office at the time, they responded via email: “Regarding your inquiry, we can say this is not true.”
As of Thursday, the Russian-language post about Assad had been viewed over 221.000 times. The UK and Indian media outlets reported the story, while social media users also shared the claims.
“Assad was allegedly poisoned in Moscow,” wrote Pekka Kallioniemi on Platform X, the founder of the project Vatnik Soup, which analyzes Russian disinformation. “The Kremlin wasted no time punishing the former dictator for his cowardice.”
Global security expert James Landis wrote on Platform X: “Did Putin try to get rid of Assad? It would make sense. Assad is a liability and brings nothing to the table. He lost Syria and created countless headaches for Putin.”
What people are saying
General SVR on Telegram: “There is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad occurred. On Sunday afternoon, Assad complained to his security about discomfort and difficulty breathing, and requested medical assistance.”
Pekka Kallioniemi, Russian disinformation analyst on X: “Assad was allegedly poisoned in Moscow. The Kremlin wasted no time punishing the former dictator for his cowardice.”
What’s next
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, wrote on Telegram that Assad and his family are “in Moscow” and that “Russia never abandons its friends in need.”
However, Assad’s statement from December 16th, in which he said he was not considering “retirement or seeking asylum,” suggested he wanted his loyalists to believe he had not fled but left Syria at Moscow’s request.
Meanwhile, his British-born wife, Asma al-Assad, who was treated for breast cancer in 2019 and diagnosed with leukemia, will reportedly not be allowed to return to the UK for treatment, according to UK sources, Klix.ba writes.
