A young Syrian boy who captured the world’s attention last year when images of his blood- and dust-covered face spread across the internet has re-emerged this week — in interviews on news outlets with ties to the Syrian government.
The boy, Omran Daqneesh, came to symbolize the plight of civilians besieged by government forces in eastern Aleppo when his family’s home was bombed in August and local activists shared photos and video of the frightened Omran on social media.
Now, he and his family have appeared in a series of televised interviews on news channels supportive of President Bashar al-Assad, apparently part of a calculated public relations campaign by the Syrian government.
You've reached your daily free article limit.
Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.
A young Syrian boy who captured the world’s attention last year when images of his blood- and dust-covered face spread across the internet has re-emerged this week — in interviews on news outlets with ties to the Syrian government.
The boy, Omran Daqneesh, came to symbolize the plight of civilians besieged by government forces in eastern Aleppo when his family’s home was bombed in August and local activists shared photos and video of the frightened Omran on social media.
Now, he and his family have appeared in a series of televised interviews on news channels supportive of President Bashar al-Assad, apparently part of a calculated public relations campaign by the Syrian government.
These are the first images of Omran — his cheeks pudgier, his face cleaner — that have been broadcast since he was rescued by volunteer emergency workers. At the time, his family had refused to speak to the news media.
The latest interviews appear on outlets that favor the Syrian government: Russian-, Iranian- and Lebanese-run state television, and on Syrian channels that have backed Mr. Assad in his six-year war against opposition forces.
Read the whole story from The New York Times.
Featured image courtesy of The Indian Express
Gear Up for the Mission: Traser Watch Giveaway
2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Real Men Picked by Special Ops & Military Guys. Women, You Can Thank Us Later
US Navy Bolsters Defense with Latest Raytheon, Lockheed Contracts
SUV-Sized Drones Stalking New Jersey Skies—Who is Watching Us?
SOFREP Daily: US Senator Urges Action on Mystery Drones, IS Bomb Kills Afghan Refugee Minister, Russia Targets Ukraine’s Power Grid in Massive Strike
Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.
TRY 14 DAYS FREEAlready a subscriber? Log In
COMMENTS
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.