The possibility of the death of the Saudi king

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia, underwent a colonoscopy on Sunday, just weeks after he had the battery of his pacemaker changed leading to fresh health concerns about the ruler of the richest monarchy in the Persian Gulf.

King Salman, 86, has been the ruler of oil producing giant Saudi Arabia since 2015 and has appointed his 36-year-old son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as his successor.

However, owing to the health issues being faced by King Salman, his son is also responsible for leading day-to-day affairs in the kingdom.

The health of the Saudi King is closely watched by the international community as he holds absolute power in the kingdom, which is also the world’s largest oil exporter.

King Salman’s health concerns have mostly been kept under wraps, with limited updates from the government, and his public appearances have been restricted too.

The Saudi SPA report said that the king “will spend some time at the hospital, according to the treatment plan recommended by the medical team".

However, the experts believe that the chances of survival of King Salman are less than 10 percent and may die in two weeks or so, while the main issue that remains, is of his successor.

Saudi local media earlier this year reported that King Salman was hospitalized in Riyadh to have the battery of his heart pacemaker replaced.

The Saudi ruler also had surgery in 2020 to remove his gallbladder.

Although King Salman attended the Eid al-Fitr prayers a few days ago, his critical condition has caused major concerns among the ruling family

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who had his image tarnished by the Jamal Khashoggi affair and many other human rights abuses, has a big problem getting allegiance from many members of the Saudi family to succeed his father.

After being elevated as the kingdom’s crown prince, he has sidelined rivals and strengthened his position for the future Saudi throne.

Well, we have to wait for the news of the death of the elderly King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and see what happens next.