Photo credit: www.bbc.com

Clarifications on Asma al-Assad’s Status Amid Divorce Rumors

The Kremlin has publicly dismissed recent rumors regarding Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, stating that she is not pursuing a divorce. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, emphasized that reports from Turkish media claiming she intended to end her marriage and leave Russia are unfounded, asserting, “No, they do not correspond to reality.”

Asma and Bashar al-Assad were granted asylum in Russia after a coalition of rebels overthrew his regime and took control of the capital, Damascus. Despite their close ties to Moscow, information surfaced on Sunday suggesting that the couple was living under considerable restrictions in the Russian capital. Turkish media even reported that Mrs. al-Assad had filed for divorce and expressed the desire to return to London.

Asma al-Assad, who holds dual Syrian-British nationality, faces challenges in her potential return to the UK. The British government has previously indicated that she would be barred from entering the country. Foreign Secretary David Lammy reaffirmed this stance in parliament, stating, “I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK.” He further committed to ensuring no member of the Assad family finds refuge in Britain.

In a recent statement, Bashar al-Assad claimed he never intended to leave Syria, revealing he was airlifted at the request of Russian military officials.

Asma al-Assad, aged 49, was born in the UK to Syrian parents and spent her early years in Acton, west London, before moving to Syria in 2000. She married Bashar al-Assad shortly after he ascended to the presidency, following the death of his father.

For over two decades as the first lady of Syria, Asma al-Assad attracted significant attention from western media. A 2011 profile in Vogue controversially referred to her as “a rose in the desert,” portraying her as an appealing figure on the global stage. However, this perception altered dramatically as the Syrian civil war escalated, with her silence during the violence directed at pro-democracy demonstrators inciting widespread criticism.

The conflict has resulted in an estimated half a million fatalities, with accusations against the Assad regime of deploying chemical weapons against its citizens. In 2016, Asma al-Assad revealed on Russian state television that she had declined an offer for a safe exit from Syria, choosing instead to support her husband amidst the turmoil in the war.

In 2018, she disclosed her breast cancer diagnosis, later announcing a full recovery. Recently, she has been diagnosed with leukemia, and it was announced in May that she would begin treatment, resulting in a temporary departure from public duties.

Source
www.bbc.com