Elimination at the top? Assad's cousin and a Syrian intelligence general has died in mysterious circumstances

Loyalist accounts of the Assad regime on social media platforms this morning mourned Zohir Shalish, known as "Du Alhama Shalish," a prominent intelligence officer and cousin of the Syrian regime's president, aged 70.

Shalish was one of the most prominent intelligence officers at the Republic Palace and a longtime member of the Assad family's small circle for more than three decades, a businessman with many partners and activities and a contractor for huge projects in Syria. He was also known to be a supporter of Iran, along with Maher al-Assad, Bashar's brother.

Some sources talked about the possibility that Bashar al-Assad betrayed his cousin to the Russians, or was eliminated by his direct order.