The wife of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, 49-year-old Asma al-Assad, is facing severe health challenges after being diagnosed with leukemia. According to reports from British media, she has been isolated from her family due to the need to avoid infection, as doctors have deemed her condition precarious, giving her only a 50% chance of survival.
This alarming news surfaced after the presidency of Syria revealed earlier this year, back in May, her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, which is classified as an aggressive form of cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood. It was reported by The Telegraph and other outlets, detailing how her health has drastically deteriorated, forcing her to undergo isolation and limiting her interactions to avoid any possible complications from infections.
Currently hospitalized in Moscow, where she and her family took refuge following the swift capture of Damascus by rebel forces earlier this month, she cannot share rooms with anyone. A source close to the family expressed her dire situation, stating, "She can't be in the same room with anyone [because of her condition]." This isolation is not just for precautionary reasons; it highlights the reality of her serious illness, exacerbated by the recent return of her leukemia after achieving initial remission.
Born to Syrian parents in London, her life took her from being the "Rose of the Desert," celebrated for her charm and elegance, to being thrust at the center of international attention as her husband’s regime faced massive uprisings during the Syrian Civil War. The couple met during the early ’90s and married in December 2000. Before the conflict intensified, she was known for advocating health and education initiatives across Syria.
Interestingly, her family's background involves her father, Dr. Fawaz Akhras, who is caring for her now. A cardiologist based on London's prestigious Harley Street, he has remained by her side during this trying time. Reports suggest frustrations on her part about the conditions imposed upon her, with allegations circulating about her dissatisfaction with life under Russian rule. Interestingly, whispers of divorce have emerged, though these have been firmly denied by her family.
British officials have made it clear, with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, stating emphatically, "I've seen reports... about Aasma Assad, who potentially holds UK citizenship... she is a sanctioned individual and is not welcome in the UK." This public declaration raises significant questions about her potential future, particularly since her situation continues to engender varied responses from international observers.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented, indicating it is "far too early" to determine if there will be moves to revoke her UK citizenship. The question of her nationality becomes pivotal, especially with the backdrop of the political turmoil following her husband’s ouster. Amidst the chaos, former influence associated with the Assad family seems dim, as connections with the now-fallen regime and sanctions impose substantial barriers to any return.
Despite being declared cancer-free following treatment for breast cancer only four years ago, this current battle with leukemia presents wider social implications, particularly considering her previous influence over significant sectors within Syria’s economy, including telecommunications. The current political climate post-Assad understands her simply as part of the ghost of regimes past, undertaking increasingly tenuous health battles.
Reports of her seeking permission for medical treatment back in London have surfaced, fraught with political and legal obstacles stemming from both her precarious health condition and complex international relations concerning her family. This paints as compelling yet distressing picture of what once was and what remains of the woman's previous social standing and influence.
Her story resonates on multiple levels—highlighting issues of health, political exile, and public perception—all intertwined under the complex dynamics of revolution and regime change. The details of her health condition serve not only as personal tragedy but as larger commentary on the collapse of her husband’s rule and the shifting sands of loyalty, nationality, and identity.
