DAMASCUS: Syria’s Ministry of Information on Sunday dismissed reports that an attempt was made on President Ahmed Al-Sharaa during a recent visit to the southern city of Daraa, Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
A ministry source, quoted by state news agency SANA on Sunday, dismissed the claims as false, saying: “What was circulated by several media outlets about the Syrian Arab Army and Turkish intelligence foiling an assassination attempt on President Ahmad Al-Sharaa during his visit to Daraa is untrue.”
Media sources claimed an assassination plot was uncovered just before President Al‑Sharaa’s visit—an operation allegedly foiled through a joint effort by Syrian forces and Turkish intelligence. The scheme supposedly targeted an Islamic State (ISIS) cell led by a figure from Daraa, who was arrested one day prior to the president’s arrival.
Al-Sharaa has previously been the target of at least two reported assassination attempts since taking office, according to various media sources. One such attempt was said to have occurred in March.
US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, had earlier expressed concern about persistent threats to al-Sharaa’s life, warning that extremist actors continue to pose a risk. He emphasised the need to establish a coordinated security framework to address these threats effectively.
Al-Sharaa has led Syria’s transitional administration since January, following the collapse of the Bashar Assad government. Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly a quarter of a century and fled to Russia in December.
