First Lady Asma al-Assad‘s Leukemia Returns, 50% Survival Chance
MOSCOW — Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is reportedly battling a relapse of her acute leukemia, with media estimating her chances of survival at a grim 50%. The Syrian first lady has been isolated to avoid infection and barred from sharing a room with others, according to a report by the British Daily Telegraph.
Asma, born in London in 1975, was diagnosed with acute leukemia in May, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Prior to this, she had announced in 2019 that she was cancer-free after undergoing treatment for breast cancer for a year.
The Assad family sought refuge in Moscow earlier this month following a surprise opposition attack that briefly took control of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on December 8. Asma is said to have traveled to Russia with her children before her husband, and is currently under the care of her father, Dr. Fawaz Akhras, a British cardiologist.
Rumors have surfaced suggesting that Asma is frustrated with the restrictions placed upon her in Russia and has been attempting to divorce her husband and seek medical treatment in London. However, these claims have been dismissed by the Kremlin, and the Assad family has remained silent on the matter.
Asma plays a significant role in her husband’s regime, overseeing key economic aspects such as telecommunications and large-scale charitable organizations. Her British citizenship, however, has been a point of contention. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy has stated that Asma would not be welcome back in the country.
"I’ve seen reports in recent days about Asma Assad, who may hold British citizenship and might be attempting to enter our country. I want confirmation that she is a sanctioned individual and not allowed in the UK," Lammy told Parliament following the Assad regime’s collapse.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has deemed it "too early" to decide whether Asma’s British citizenship can be rescinded. Meanwhile, senior British officials have recently traveled to Damascus to meet with the newly installed Syrian authorities, led by the Ha’yat Tahrir Syam group.
