Reports of Assad Poisoning in Moscow Unverified

Multiple outlets report that deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was rushed to a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow after an alleged poisoning or assassination attempt and has since been reported released or in stable condition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing a private source, said the suspected operation may have been intended to embarrass the Russian government; Russian authorities have not publicly commented. Only Assad’s brother Maher was reportedly allowed to visit amid a major security operation, and Assad has not been seen publicly since he was granted asylum in Russia by President Vladimir Putin about ten months ago. Syria’s new authorities have demanded Assad’s extradition, which Russia has so far refused. Some outlets trace initial claims to a Telegram account and fact-checkers (including Snopes) and journalists say there is no independent confirmation, leaving the situation unverified and developing.