Syrian regime denies that Assad has suffered a stroke

[timosman]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle...egime-denies-that-assad-has-suffered-a-stroke

January 30 2017

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime has been accused of human right's abuses, is in critical condition in hospital.

The Syrian regime has denied reports that President Bashar al-Assad has been hospitalised.

Rumours began circulating when Lebanese newspaper al-Mustaqbal quoted "reliable sources" who claimed Assad had suffered a cerebral infarction, which blocks arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the brain, and was being treated in hospital.

Another Lebanese newspaper, al-Diyar, also reported on Friday that the dictator had suffered from a stroke.

Other reports of Assad's degraded health were compiled by Al Aribaya.

Conflicting reports circulating across social media suggested Assad had either suffered a stroke, was suffering from a brain tumour, or survived an attempted assassination from a bodyguard.

Pro-regime Hezzbollah-backed news site Al Manar reported that the Syrian regime refuted the allegations.

In a Facebook post, they said "the Syrian people had become immune to such lies" and that Assad was carrying out his presidential duties normally.

However, a reporter for Al Jazeera, who says he originally received contradictory information from his sources, has reported that Bashar is bed-ridden.

Assad's forces recently claimed victory in a bloody, long-lasting battle for Aleppo.

All factions involved of the battle have been accused of human rights abuses.

Assad's Syrian regime has particularly been the subject of international condemnation for their war crimes and use of toxic gases on civilians.

 

[Zippyjuan]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-pressure-nervous-tick-left-eye-a7540711.html

A few days ago.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reportedly suffering under 'psychological pressure'

The pressures of leading a country engulfed in a complex and chaotic civil war may be taking its toll on the health of Syria's embattled leader.

Amir Taheri, a columnist with the Saudi-owned London based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, claimed in a piece published in Saturday’s edition that Bashar al-Assad's mental health is suffering after almost six years of conflict.

Citing officials from Syria's ally Russia, he said Moscow insiders claimed on background the president is “exhausted” due to “psychological pressures.”

“This is why Russian officials, speaking in private, now drop hints that Assad is ‘exhausted by five years of war and tension’ and may be is even developing a nervous tick in his left eye as a result of “psychological pressures,” Mr Taheri wrote.

The comment was picked up by various anti-Syrian regime outlets online, where the headline morphed into claims that Mr Assad - who trained as an doctor - has been hospitalised with a nervous condition.

During an interview with The Sunday Times late last year, Mr Assad said he did not lose sleep at night over his role in the civil war, which the UN says has claimed 400,000 lives and driven half of Syria’s population from their homes.

Asked if the deaths of children killed in Aleppo and elsewhere weigh on his mind, he laughed and said, “I know the meaning of that question.”

“I sleep regular, I sleep and work and eat normal and do sports.”

I'd have to say just a rumor at this point.