Top advisor to Assad dies amidst allegations of selling information to Russia and engaging in a romantic affair with Syrian president

In the midst of ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Luna al-Shibl, a key adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, tragically lost her life in a car accident in Damascus. Reports from Syrian media suggested that the incident may have been a deliberate act of murder, with the driver of the car involved in the crash being arrested.

Following the accident, Al-Shibl was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, but ultimately succumbed to a brain hemorrhage. Speculation arose that Al-Shibl had made enemies throughout her political career, potentially leading to her untimely demise.

Rumors of tension between Al-Shibl and Assad’s media adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban, surfaced, with Assad’s wife reportedly attempting to remove Al-Shibl from her position due to alleged rumors of an affair between Assad and the adviser. Additionally, Hezbollah operatives accused Al-Shibl of sharing sensitive information with Russian officials in Syria. The adviser’s brother was suspected of passing information to Israel, while her husband faced legal charges of embezzlement and bribery.

Iran demanded the arrest and interrogation of four senior Syrian palace officials by a Revolutionary Guard officer following Al-Shibl’s death. A source close to the Assad regime expressed that Al-Shibl had faced challenges in recent months, particularly from Hezbollah and Iranian forces, which contributed to her tragic end.

Al-Shibl’s death occurred amidst a severe economic crisis in Syria, prompting the Syrian army to announce reforms, including releasing tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The regime also implemented cost-saving measures by merging various departments with overlapping functions.

The loss of Luna al-Shibl represents a significant blow to the Assad regime, with her death shrouded in speculation and intrigue. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding her, Al-Shibl’s passing underscores the volatile and complex political landscape in the Middle East.

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https://www.firstpost.com/world/assads-key-advisor-dies-amid-accusation-of-selling-intel-to-russia-and-having-affair-with-syrian-president-13790273.html/amp