The boy who symbolized Syria’s sufferings resurfaces

Omran Daqneesh, the injured Syrian boy who attracted widespread attention last year as a face symbolizing the sufferings of civilians in the war-torn Syria has reemerged.

In new photos posted on social media, the little boy appears healthy and well, and is sitting on his father’s lap.

Last year, Omran was badly injured in a regime airstrike in the city of Aleppo, which also took the life of his elder brother Ali.

Since then, the family avoided media attention. But recently, they have been interviewed by state-run television channels, in which Omran’s father explained that they avoided giving interviews to pro-opposition media outlets who wanted to use Omran against the Assad regime.

“They wanted to trade in his blood and published his photos," Omran’s father said, according to the Telegraph.

Omran’s family also changed their son’s name and his appearance in efforts to protect him from media attention and rebel groups who threatened to kidnap him.

Kinana Alloush, a pro-Syrian journalist, also posted Omran and his family’s photos, while interviewing them. She wrote, "The child Omran, those who tried to shed Syrian blood mislead the news that he was hit by the Syrian Arab Army. Here he now lives in the Syrian state with its army, its leader and its people," as per the translation by The Telegraph.

The family had crossed into government held territory, after the rebels retreated from Aleppo. It is not clear whether they have been forced to give pro-government interviews or had been loyal throughout the siege.