07.01.2026 09:42
The Syrian leader Shara's absence from the public eye for six days has raised assassination allegations. Salih El Hamavi, one of the founders of the Nusra Front and previously one of Shara's closest associates, claimed on December 30 that Shara was attacked during a routine meeting at the Presidential Palace. It was reported that Shara was injured by a shrapnel piece in the chest during a 12-minute conflict, resulting in bruising on his face. It was also claimed that Shara's advisor, Abdurrahim Attun, was seriously injured.
The absence of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from the public eye since December 30 has brought assassination claims back to the forefront. Following the spread of rumors, a video allegedly showing Sharaa shopping was circulated, with the source of the claims pointed to as Salih al-Hamawi, one of the founders of the Nusra Front.
FIRST THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THEN GUNFIRE
According to journalist Fehim Taştekin, who closely follows the region, Hamawi claimed that Sharaa was attacked during a routine meeting at the Presidential Palace on December 30. In Hamawi's account, there was first an explosion, followed by gunfire, and a conflict broke out among the palace guards. The claim states that the incident lasted approximately 12 minutes, that Sharaa was injured by a shrapnel piece in the chest, and that he sustained bruises on his face during the chaos.
HIS ADVISOR WAS ALSO SERIOUSLY INJURED
Hamawi also claimed that Sharaa's advisor responsible for religious affairs, Abdurrahim Attun, was seriously injured during the incident. The claim that Sharaa was later taken under the protection of a British team that reportedly arrived from the Tanaf Base was also included in the same account. According to Hamawi's statements, the reason for not announcing the attack to the public was cited as "to avoid instability."
HE WAS ONCE ONE OF SHARAA'S CLOSEST NAMES
Salih al-Hamawi is known as one of the figures in the founding cadre of the Nusra Front. While some sources indicate that Hamawi is the ideologue of the organization, it is also suggested that he was in a position to obtain information from the Syrian Presidential Palace. It is noted that the Nusra Front changed its name to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, and that Hamawi was once among Sharaa's close associates but later distanced himself by making harsh criticisms.
THERE ARE GROUPS TARGETING RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
On the other hand, it is reported that radical jihadist groups have recently increased their criticisms of Ahmed al-Sharaa. These groups reacted by claiming that Sharaa has "abandoned his old principles" and "approached the West's line," with some groups targeting relations with Turkey. It is suggested that groups like Ansar al-Sunna and Hurras al-Din have decided to fight against Sharaa, and that tensions escalated further with claims that Sharaa was hosted at the White House on November 10 and joined the anti-ISIS coalition.