Bashar al-Assad, the deposed Syrian dictator, was allegedly rushed to a Moscow hospital following a suspected poisoning attempt that left him in critical condition before his discharge on Monday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The 60-year-old former president, who has been living under Russian protection since fleeing Damascus ten months ago, was reportedly treated at a medical facility on the outskirts of the Russian capital.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed on Wednesday that Assad had been discharged from hospital after suffering from poisoning, with sources suggesting the attack was designed to “embarrass the Russian government and accuse it of being complicit” in an assassination attempt. The report stated Assad’s condition had stabilised and he was now recovering.
According to the Observatory, only two people were permitted to visit Assad during his hospitalisation: his brother Maher Assad, himself a former Syrian military commander, and Mansour Azzam, the former Secretary-General for Presidential Affairs. The restricted access came amid what was described as a major security operation at the medical facility.
Second Alleged Attempt in Ten Months
This marks the second alleged assassination attempt on Assad since his arrival in Moscow. The latest incident reportedly occurred over the weekend, with sources claiming the former dictator complained of breathing difficulties before his condition deteriorated rapidly.
The Syrian Observatory stated that a “private source” had confirmed Assad suffered from poisoning, though the exact method of administration remains unclear. “The party that carried out the poisoning attempt sought to embarrass the Russian government and accuse it of assassinating him,” the source told the monitoring group.
Russian authorities have maintained complete silence on the reports, with the Kremlin declining to comment when approached by international media outlets. The lack of official confirmation has fuelled speculation about Assad’s current status and whereabouts in the Russian capital.
Previous Poisoning Claims
Earlier unverified reports about Assad’s health emerged from the Telegram channel General SVR, which claims to be run by former Russian intelligence officers. The channel alleged in January that Assad had suffered violent coughing fits and choking episodes after complaining of breathing difficulties.
“There is every reason to believe an assassination attempt was made,” the channel stated at the time, claiming tests showed traces of toxic substances in Assad’s system. However, these claims were never independently verified, and fact-checking organisations including Snopes have questioned the reliability of General SVR’s reports.
The channel has a history of making sensational but unsubstantiated claims about Russian political figures, including multiple reports about Vladimir Putin’s health that have proven unfounded. British tabloids have frequently reported General SVR’s claims despite the lack of corroborating evidence.
Life in Russian Exile
Assad and his British-born wife Asma fled Syria on 8 December 2024 as rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept into Damascus, ending his family’s five-decade rule. The dramatic collapse came after an eleven-day offensive that saw government forces abandon their positions across the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin personally granted political asylum to Assad and his inner circle, continuing Moscow’s long-standing support for the Syrian regime. Russia had been Assad’s principal military backer during the civil war, maintaining crucial naval and air bases in the country.
Since arriving in Moscow, Assad has not been seen in public and is believed to be under close guard by Russian security services. His presence in Russia has become increasingly problematic for the Kremlin as it attempts to maintain influence in post-Assad Syria whilst harbouring the former dictator.
Syrian Demands for Extradition
The new authorities in Damascus have repeatedly demanded Assad’s extradition to face trial for war crimes committed during his brutal suppression of the Syrian uprising. The civil war, which began in 2011, resulted in over 500,000 deaths and displaced millions of Syrians.
Syria’s transitional government has accused Assad of systematic torture, chemical weapons attacks on civilians, and crimes against humanity. International arrest warrants have been issued, though Russia’s refusal to cooperate makes any extradition highly unlikely.
The International Criminal Court has been investigating Assad’s regime for years, with mounting evidence of industrial-scale torture in government prisons and the use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons against civilian populations. Human rights organisations have documented thousands of cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions.
Security Concerns in Moscow
The alleged poisoning has raised serious questions about Assad’s security in Moscow, where several high-profile poisonings have occurred in recent years. Russia has been linked to the use of nerve agents and other toxins in assassination attempts, though typically against perceived enemies of the state rather than those under its protection.
Security experts suggest that if the poisoning allegations are true, multiple parties could have motivation to target Assad. These range from Syrian opposition groups seeking revenge, to potential Russian factions viewing him as a liability, to international actors seeking justice for his crimes.
James Landis, a global security expert, commented on social media: “Did Putin try to get rid of Assad? That would make sense. Assad is a liability and doesn’t bring anything to the table. He lost Syria and has created countless headaches for Putin.”
Family Under Pressure
Assad’s wife Asma, 49, is reportedly battling acute myeloid leukaemia and receiving treatment in Moscow. The former investment banker, who grew up in London, has been effectively barred from returning to the UK after her British passport expired and renewal was blocked.
The couple’s three children are also believed to be in Russia, though their exact whereabouts remain unknown. Reports suggest the family brought substantial assets with them, including an estimated 270 kilograms of gold and $2 billion (£1.6 billion) transferred to Moscow before the regime’s collapse.
Assad’s brother Maher, who commanded the elite Fourth Armoured Division accused of numerous atrocities during the civil war, was reportedly the only family member allowed to visit during the recent hospitalisation. His presence in Russia has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Strategic Implications for Russia
Assad’s presence in Moscow has become an increasingly awkward issue for Russian diplomacy. The Kremlin is attempting to maintain its military bases in Syria whilst negotiating with the new government that overthrew its ally.
Russia’s Tartus naval base and Khmeimim air base represent Moscow’s only military foothold in the Mediterranean and are crucial for projecting power into the Middle East and Africa. The new Syrian authorities have indicated they may review these agreements, putting pressure on Russia to distance itself from Assad.
The alleged poisoning, if confirmed, could provide Moscow with a convenient exit from its Assad problem without appearing to abandon an ally. However, it could also be interpreted as Russian weakness or treachery by other authoritarian leaders who might seek Moscow’s protection in future.
Ongoing Investigation Claims
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that an investigation into the alleged poisoning was ongoing, though given the secretive nature of Assad’s existence in Moscow, any findings are unlikely to be made public.
The monitoring group, which has documented human rights abuses throughout the Syrian conflict, maintains a network of sources inside Syria and among the Syrian diaspora. However, its claims about events in Russia are harder to verify independently.
Medical experts note that poisoning symptoms can vary widely depending on the substance used, making it difficult to confirm such attacks without access to toxicology reports and medical records. The reported symptoms of breathing difficulties and the need for immediate hospitalisation suggest a serious medical event, whether poisoning or another condition.
International Reaction
The alleged poisoning has reignited international calls for Assad to face justice for his crimes. Human rights organisations have expressed concern that he might die without ever being held accountable for the systematic atrocities committed under his rule.
The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria has amassed extensive evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Assad’s forces. However, with Assad in Russian protection, prospects for international justice remain remote.
Western governments have maintained sanctions on Assad and his inner circle, though these have little practical effect while he remains in Moscow. The UK, US, and EU have all stated that normalisation of relations with Syria cannot occur whilst Assad and his associates escape justice.
Uncertain Future
As Assad reportedly recovers from this latest incident, his future remains deeply uncertain. At 60 years old, having lost his country and living in exile under constant security threats, the former ophthalmologist-turned-dictator faces a dramatically diminished existence.
The Syrian people, meanwhile, continue to grapple with the devastating legacy of his rule. Mass graves are still being discovered, families search for missing relatives, and millions remain displaced. The question of justice for Assad’s victims remains unresolved.
Whether this latest alleged poisoning attempt is genuine or part of the murky world of Russian disinformation, it highlights the precarious position of the former Syrian president. Once one of the Middle East’s most powerful leaders, Assad now depends entirely on Putin’s protection, a protection that may be more fragile than it appears.
The Russian government’s continued silence on these reports only adds to the mystery surrounding Assad’s current situation, leaving observers to speculate about the true state of affairs behind the walls of his Moscow sanctuary.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad — photo by Kremlin.ru / official Russian government (via Presidential Press Service), licensed under CC BY 4.0
